I have been thinking, what are the distinguishing qualities of a creative person? Why do we call one person “creative” and another… just a “skilled” or “hard-working” guy? I have come up with these answers. These are the things that creative people always do:

1. They concentrate on and “listen” to their inner self;
2. They are not afraid to make up their mind and change their decisions;
3. They tend to connect ideas, which other people find incompatible;
4. Creative people tend to surround themselves with beauty, they have a physical need to see, hear, smell and sense beautiful things every day;
5. They hate borders, especially mental borders that keep them within the frames of “well-set” approaches;
6. Creative people often fail to follow time limitations. In fact, it is not them, but the time itself that fails to develop the same pace as the creative person’s mind does;
7. Quite often, creative people become victims of their own desires, but this does not discourage them;
8. They often take problems and failures as opportunities to start something new;
9. They look at every event taking place around them as a way of self-expression;
10. Creative people observe the world and the people around themselves, and find inspiration in them;
11. Failure only makes them more curious;
12. Creative people question everything that they see or hear around;
13. Creative people seek for new impressions and emotional activity as thurstily as they look for beauty;
14. they work only in the hours which are convenient to their personal “mental rhythms”; and
15. They dream.

Ukrainian sociologists recently conducted an interesting research: they met and interviewed dozens of couples who have lived together happily for 50 years and more. Traditionally, a marriage that lasts as long as 50 years is called a “golden marriage” here, and most of those people are over 70 today. The couples were interviewed all over the country; they have shared their “secrets” of stable relationships.

Among their stories, there are many sad, uneasy, and even dramatic epizodes, but every couple confirmed that they went through the hardships together. All in all, the interviewers could pick out three main features which were common for all couples that helped them remain together-

• sharing pains and hardships;
• tact; and
• hugging daily.

Amazing, isn’t it? One may say, “How can it be that simple?” Yet this is true! I think those people simply learned to take each other’s emotions, troubles and chores as their own (maybe even higher), while mutual respect and daily hugs worked to cement the relationships and lead them through life.

Believe it or not, but science warns us that St.Valentine’s Day celebrations can ruin relationships for couples, rather than boost them. Statistically, the risk of breaking up a week before or a week right after this holiday is 2.5 times higher than in any other time of the year. Well, the explanation to this is quite  obvious: couples have high expectations, which may not come true, and then the risk of breaking up becomes a lot more probable. How can you avoid the risk?

1. Do not get enticed by any last-minute ideas of presents or celebrations. If you have been thinking it over for a while and finally came up with something, but still feel a bit uncertain about the gift, the gift you already have is probably much better than an idea suggested by a friend during a lunch-break, because that guy has a different woman, and he probably knows her well. Just pick up something that your friend will certainly like, because he (she) has always liked it.
2. Try to avoid very big arrangements, big expenses or anything that would look really “not like usual you” to your partner. Whatever you prepare for them may excite you, but equally, it may freak them out a little bit.
3. You should not surprise your partner with super sexy ideas like turning up naked or anything that you had not practiced before. Too much of surprise may end up in disappointment for both.

4. Do not make serious holiday arrangements if February, 14-th happens to be your first date. On the very first date both people should remain themselves, be attentive to each other, and try to move on slowly until they get to know each other really well.

5. On St.Valentine’s Day you simply have no right to forget things! It will kill your partner if you kiss them and say, “Oh, damn, it seems I have left your gift at home!” Do NOT forget anything if you don’t want a break up.

6. You’d better NOT give your partner a Valentine’s Day card. It may look a bit cheap. If you care really much for your dear friend, make them a really nice present, or simply be lovable, attentive, and charming. Giving your partner a card is not a way to display any of these three qualities.

7. Try not to burn your holiday food and if you count on having a romantic dinner in a restaurant, all arrangements must be made well in advance and everything should work well there.

8. Buying very extravagant gifts, as well as making some personal gifts (like underwear, for example) is risky. Just leave this for some other time. Buy something nice for your friend instead – something that you are sure he (she) will appreciate.

And the last suggestion:

9. Be really charming and attentive to your partner on this day. This is the key to real romance. Both, men and women love being taken care of, so why not give this pleasure to them and live this whole day just for them?

Wishing you good luck for this coming holiday!