Do You Want a Date or a Mate?

Dating can be fun, delightful and enjoyable - and it should be at all times whether you are single and dating or whether you are in a relationship or married. Even if you have found that love you've sought or have been married for years, dating is still a large part of the equation to keep your relationship and marriage fresh and fun.

When you're single, dating can feel like a full-time job. It's like finding the right job where you can feel happy and free and you know your philosophies are in alignment so you can express yourself and use your talents to their fullest. This builds your self-esteem in business and affords you the opportunity to contribute to something bigger and greater. The experience is the same when it comes to finding the right person to date and be your mate.

If you are in a relationship or married, it is important to remember the art of dating and make it a priority. For many, dating can be something that you have either forgotten how to do or perhaps that you do once a week or less often as a "date night".

Men and women often have different ideas about dating and what constitutes "dating". Each person may have their own perception of what a date is and isn't and what they are looking to accomplish during the time they spend with someone else.

Do you want a date or a mate?

In other words, are you really looking to simply go out, have a good time, enjoy yourself and the time you spend with someone in the moment? That's a great date! You enjoy the time you spend preparing, pampering yourself and getting ready for the "big date", then you burst with joy when you meet him, and go with the flow of the plans you've made while smiling and savoring the pleasures of it all.

Or do you find yourself looking for a connection with the other person while you are dating as described above and enjoying the time you spend with him? Do you consider if you want to spend more time with him? Do you want to know more about him and what makes him tick? Or perhaps how your lives, values and lifestyles could possibly fit together? Perhaps you want to know what his goals and dreams are for the year or the next three, where he wants to travel to next, how he likes to celebrate his birthday, and how he treats and takes care of himself.

Be honest with yourself and ask yourself where you are in your dating life - whether you're single or not.

If you're in a relationship or married, when was the last time you and your sweetheart had a terrific date where you took the time to get dressed and pamper yourself before it, enjoyed being together without the fuss and stresses of life for a few hours, and laughed at the end saying, "That was great!"?

If you're single, whether you're dating online, being introduced to potential suitors by others, or simply connecting with people in your everyday travels in life, decide for yourself if you really want a date or if you want a mate.

Mating is different than dating because dating is part of the fun of mating that should never stop. The distinction is that when you mate, you continue to date the same person with as much enthusiasm, interest and joy as you did when you dated other people.

If you have a mate, act like it is your first date and enjoy the fun of getting to know each other all over again.

"It's your time to have it all!"