The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

I know I'll likely be viewed as a holiday grump or Grinch or some may even claim that since I'm single on Valentine's Day, I'm just jealous of couples celebrating the day with one another. I can state with great clarity that the latter portion of that sentence is false. Even when I was dating, I held the same feelings about this very holiday. I find this day to be: Dull, unromantic, ridiculous and sad. Let me explain. I find it to be dull because I honestly don't see much excitement regarding the regular routine most couples go through year after year on February 14th. The man may deliver flowers (roses) to his girlfriend's/wife's workplace. On his way home from work, he may pick up a Hallmark card, some chocolates and a teddy bear, before possibly taking her out to eat. Some couples don't fall into this routine, but I know many who do and it makes me yawn just thinking about it. I'll skip to my claim that the holiday is ridiculous. It's a ca...

What do all those letters stand for? The Hard Part Is Done I Can Be Lazy Now. Know anyone who gets like this? In relationships? During tragic times? I'm starting to see it more and more and it's starting to really bother me. From what I've seen, this complex is most prevalent in relationships and during tragic times in one's life. I'll look at these predicaments separately. I've seen this a lot with relationships. Ever know someone, a guy we'll say, and he's seemingly the nicest, sweetest, most sincere and genuine boyfriend for the first year, but then, when the couple gets married, he stops saying and doing what made the gal fall in love with him and say "yes" in the first place? When he gets home from work, he just grabs a can of beer and plops down in front of the television set. All that hard work and effort paid off. He's married now. There's no need nor reason to keep up the hard work and effort. The mission was accomplished. ...

Are things mandatory? Voluntary? When two friends, lovers or spouses do something for the other, does the other party feel it obligatory to return the favor? Are they reluctant to think about it until a favor-possibility is brought to their attention? When that does happen, do they simply think about what was done for them and return the favor because of that of does that factor not even enter the equation and they do what is asked non-hesitatingly? Whether or not we mean to, it seems like many of us keep track of these things. Rarely does it seem voluntary for one to do a favor for another. When it does happen voluntarily, people are then easily taken advantage of or used. I see that happen many times as well. Heck, I've experienced that first hand. So, how do we know? How do we know that by doing a favor for another out of the kindness of our hearts, they'll truly be grateful and will not use us for constant favors, for the simple fact that we're kind people? How do w...

"Man, my wife is ticked at me. She claims I'm not around enough and she's always wanting me to buy her flowers. She loves chocolate and says I don't compliment her. I'm sick of it. Why does she always have to complain? I mean, I do my job. I bring money home to pay the bills and put food on the table. Isn't that a compliment in and of itself?," said Bubba. "My wife is the same exact way. It's never enough. I'll even take her to Dairy Queen once in a while and that still isn't good enough for her. What can we do, you know? We work until six, come home, want dinner and just want to relax," Jordan replied. "Hey guys," Lance chimed in, "I know of a way to get your wives to stop complaining and believe me, along with that, all of your wildest dreams and fantasies will come true." Bubba and Jordan simultaneously said, "What? How?" "Okay," Lance started in on his advice, "This is how you d...