Looking for love is always a bit of a challenge because when we are looking, we seldom find. However, it helps to have an image in our minds of what to look for in a relationship – role models. Think of qualities!
Men with qualities that we should look for in a marriage partner include integrity, adventure, commitment, friendship, honesty, selflessness, and loving – and to all of these add a sense of humor.
Integrity — President Barack Obama and his partnership with Michelle is being cited by columnists as ideal role models to which we should aspire.
Adventuresome and Kind – Richard Bronson, he gave two students a lift on his private plane because they wanted to see the Inaguaration. But read his bio and see how socially conscious the man really is. Reuters
Committed – Paul Newman with Joanne Woodward, a fairy tale marriage. We met at a Yale Commencement. I exchanged some pleasantries with the gentleman next to me as I was shielding my eyes from the sun. And that’s when it happened.
In the middle of a morning of blue sky and sunshine, the stars came out and twinkled blue. “Oh, I seem to know you,” I uttered. “I’m Paul,” he said, extending his hand. Paul Newman
Friendly and respectful – Tim Russert, even his rivals loved him. Whenever Tim Russert conducted an interview, it was done with integrity. Regardless of his own opinions, he conveyed respect. Tim Russert
Honesty: Harry Markopolos, the Madoff Whistleblower Here is a story about him in the Wall Street Journal online. He is a humble who pursued honesty for 10 years. If only the Securities and Exchange Commission had listened. ” The documents indicate the agency had Mr. Madoff in its sights amid multiple violations that, if pursued, could have blown open his alleged multibillion-dollar scam. Instead, his firm registered as an investment adviser, at the agency’s request, and the public got no word of the violations.” wsj.com/
Selfless and loving – Professor Randy Pausch, a Brown graduate who went on to teach entertainment technology at Carnegie Mellon. He inspired students to design, create, soar within the world of virtual reality. Dr. Pausch gave the last lecture on September 20, 2007 knowing that at 46, he would not be able to survive pancreatic cancer.
Listen to the lecture once again. He talks about love, and life, and family. He speaks of his wife with absolute devotion. Randy Pausch
The secret to life long love? When couples who have been together for half a century are asked the secret to life long love, their answers are often the same. Speak kind words. Laugh often. Forgive always. See the glass as half full instead of half empty. These are society’s magnets — they attract joy.
Copyright 2009 Rita Watson