How to know ''You are in love'' ?

It is a very common question, "How can I tell I'm in love?", but it is not an easy question to answer. What feels like love to one person may be nothing more than attraction to another. Some people fall in and out of love quickly and often while others are never really in love as much as they are in lust. This can get confusing when you are a teen because romantic love is a relatively new concept for you and you don't know what to expect. You are overwhelmed with all sorts of new feelings and social pressures. They are confusing. What is love? What makes you want a romantic relationship with one person and not another? How does your heart choose a partner? Why does love end? These questions can't be easily answered.

One of the most confusing quasi-love feelings is lust. Lust is a very powerful, very intense feeling of physical attraction toward another person. Lust is mainly sexual in nature - the attraction is superficial based on instant chemistry rather than genuine caring. Usually we lust after people we do not know well, people we still feel comfortable fantasizing about. It is very common for people to confuse lust for love. But why? What is it about lust and love that make them so easy to mix up? If lust is all about sex, how can a relationship without sex be about lust? Teens struggle with this because they see lust in the Biblical sense, but lust isn't that sinister. Lust is about physical attraction and acting ONLY on physical attraction. Love is about much more than that. Yet many teens (and to be fair, many adults) confuse an intense attraction for some sort if divine love. For teens, since feelings of attraction are still new and since pop-culture sells sex and love as one package, it is very easy to get the two mixed up.

Lust is clearly not love. Love is based on more than just physical attraction. Sure, attraction is a factor, but love goes deeper than that. Love is based on caring, friendship, commitment and trust. When you are in love it is as if you have your best most trusted friend at your side AND you feel physically attracted to them. It is the best of both worlds! Love is a shared feeling between two people who have a vested interest in one anothers happiness. Love is not about jealousy. It is not about conflict. It is not about testing. Love is a positive feeling. If it is tainted by mistrust, jealousy, insecurity or spitefulness it is not really love but merely a pale copy. Love is the total surrender of your heart to another person with the security of knowing they will treat it better than you will. Love should feel good. It should not feel bad. Love should make you want to be a better person, it should not lead you to do something self destructive. Love is not demanding of your spirit but lifts it and makes it glow. Love is a good thing. Anything less is lust, deep friendship or attraction. So the sappiness aside, the question remains, how can you tell you are in love?

There is no easy way to find the truth behind your feelings or the feelings of another person but there are some tell-tale signs that love is blooming (or growing deeper). If you agree with 7 of the following 9 statements you are probably in love.

1. You know, because you have been told by your significant other, that your deep feelings are returned in kind.
2. The object of your affections makes you feel special and good about yourself.
3. If/when you feel jealous it is always fleeting; you trust your partner not to betray you or hurt your relationship.
4. Nothing makes you feel as serene as when you and your partner are together.
5. When you fight with your partner you usually make up within a few hours and you always agree that nothing is more important than you both being able to express your true feelings (even if they sometimes cause conflict).
6. Your partner never asks you to choose between him/her and your loyalties to your family and friends - if you do choose him/her over them you always have a good reason and it is always YOUR decision, and your decision alone.
7. Neither you or your partner feel the need to test the other's loyalties or feelings.
8. You are more yourself when with your partner than you are with anybody else.
9. If sex is part of your relationship it is by mutual desire and agreement without the slightest hint of commitment testing or persuasion.

Sex Education Series: Changes in Boys during Puberty

Puberty is a time in your life - roughly from ages 11 to 17 - when your body goes through a lot of changes very rapidly. Below are some of the main changes that happen to guys' bodies during puberty.

Your Penis and Testicles Will Get Bigger

This is usually the first big change that your body will go through when you reach the end of your kid years. Once your testicles grow, your body will be hit with a big wave of hormones, which will trigger changes in other parts of your body.

 

You'll Start to Grow Body Hair

During puberty, you'll start to grow hair on your face, in your pubic area and under your arms, and the hair on your arms and legs will grow darker and coarser. Some guys also grow hair on their chest, belly and back. Body hair grows at different rates for different people, so while some guys have full beards in high school, other guys' facial hair might not grow till their late teens or early 20's - and some guys might not grow facial hair at all.

 

You'll Get Stronger

As your body grows from a kid's body into an adult's, you'll grow more muscle mass, which means you'll naturally get stronger. This change usually happens in the later stages of puberty (in your late teen years), and it's called your "strength spurt."

 

You Might Get Wet Dreams

Wet Dreams also called "nocturnal emissions," are when your penis ejaculates sperm while you're asleep. They're totally normal and nothing to worry about, though they can be inconvenient and sorta messy.

 

Your Voice Will Get Deeper

As your body grows, your voice box grows, too, making your voice get deeper quickly. You might accidentally make cracks or squeaks when you talk, but don't sweat it. The squeaking usually only last for a couple of months, and it's just a sign that you're shedding that kid voice and turning into a man.

 

You Might Not Grow as Fast as Some Girls in Your Class

Girls tend to go through puberty before some guys do, which means that some of your gal pals might go through a growth spurt before you have a chance to catch up with them.

 

You'll Start to Sweat More

And unlike kid sweat, your new sweat comes with a smell.If you find yourself sweating all the time, even when you're not stressed, hot or exercising, you might have a problem with your sweat glands should talk to a doctor.

 

Your Skin Will Get Oilier

During your teen years, your changing hormone levels will lead to oilier skin and breakouts. You can fight the zits by using the right skin products, but if those don't work, you might want to get the advice of a dermatologist.

Sex Education Series: Changes in Girls during Puberty

Puberty is a time in your life - roughly from ages 9 to 17 - when your body goes through a lot of changes very rapidly. Below are some of the main changes that happen to girls' bodies during puberty.

 

You'll Get Your Period

Most girls get their first period between ages 11 and 14, though that's not a fixed rule. Periods are part of what being a woman is all about, because without your period, you can't give birth. They can be inconvenient and annoying, but what's cool is that all women get them, so it's something you'll always have in common with every woman you meet

 

Your Breasts Will Get Bigger

Once you get your first period, your breasts will usually respond by starting to grow. It's hard to say exactly how large your breasts will get, but they generally don't stop growing till the tail end of your teen years. Whatever size they are, it's important to get the right kind of bra so your breasts are supported and you don't strain your back.

 

Your Hips Will Get Wider

This is just another step on your way to having an adult female body. Wider hips make it easier for women to give birth...but since you're along way off from that, consider it an excuse to get some new jeans.

 

You Might Grow Taller Than Some Guys in Your Class

Girls tend to go through puberty before some guys do, which means you might go through a growth spurt before your guy friends have a chance to catch up with you.

 

You'll Start to Sweat More

And unlike kid sweat, your new sweat comes with a smell. If you find yourself sweating all the time, even when you're not stressed, hot or exercising, you might have a problem with your sweat glands should talk to a doctor.

 

You'll Grow Body Hair

During puberty, you'll start to grow hair in your pubic area and under your arms, and the hair on your arms and legs will grow darker and coarser. Everyone has body hair, and if you want to leave it alone, that's totally fine. You also have a couple of options for removing it if you want.

 

Your Skin Will Get Oilier

During your teen years, your changing hormone levels will lead to oilier skin and breakouts. You can fight the zits by using the right skin products, but if those don't work, you might want to get the advice of a dermatologist.

 

You'll Get Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge is your vagina's way of cleaning itself, and unlike your period, you can get it on any day of your cycle. As long as your discharge is whitish-yellow or clear and has little or no smell, it's no big deal. If your discharge is foul-smelling, painful or greenish-grey, talk to your gynecologist - you might have a vaginal infection.

Is Love at First Sight a Real Thing?

Romeo and Juliet fell in love at first sight. But then again, should you be getting your love advice from a 450-year old dead guy?

Listen to enough pop songs and watch enough romantic movies, and you're bound to start believing that love at first sight happens all the time. But does it exist in the real world, between real people?

Like so much about love, the question of love at first sight can't be answered objectively. But I'll do my best to answer it here in the most helpful way.

Is Your Mind Playing Tricks on You?
Have you ever seen someone and instantly felt attracted to every part of them, including their personality (even though you haven't even talked to them yet)? You might be quick to call it love at first sight, but it's probably what psychologists call the attractiveness halo effect. When you see someone who looks great, your brain sometimes jumps to the conclusion that their personality must be great, too.

We all know that not everyone's looks and personalities match up. Some attractive people are total jerks, and some of the best people in the world aren't what you'd necessarily think of as hot. So the halo effect is really just an illusion. Your sudden feelings of love might go away as soon as you get to know the person better.

Love: More than Just Looks
Everyone's got a different take on what love is, but few people believe that's made out of stuff you can find just by looking at someone. Love (at least if you ask me) is made up of compromise, empathy and patience. You can't give or get those sorts of things at first sight.

That doesn't mean that your initial feelings can't turn into love. When you first see someone, you might instantly know that you want to get close to them and learn about them. As your relationship progresses, those feelings might eventually grow into love. But is "love" really the word for your gut reaction? Not unless your definition of love is kinda superficial.

When Couples "Just Know"
You might meet couples who say that when they saw each other for the first time, they "just knew." What did they really know? Probably that they liked how the other person looked and acted, and that they wanted to take things to the next step and get to know each other better.

If they want to call it "love at first sight," that's okay by me. But keep in mind that there are lots of other couples who get the same feeling when they meet each other, and it ends badly or doesn't go anywhere at all. It's not the first glance that makes it love. It's the stuff that comes later - the commitment and caring that makes a relationship last.

The Danger of Believing Too Strongly in Love at First Sight
You might be wondering why I'm giving love at first sight such a bad rap. It's not that I don't think the idea is sweet, or that I don't love me some romantic movies. (My favorite love at first sight scene's gotta be this one from Romeo & Juliet.

But it's wrong to think that if you don't have intense feelings right away, it could never be love. Some of the best and strongest relationships started out in totally unromantic ways.

More importantly, though, the halo effect can be dangerous. If you see someone hot and assume that what you feel is love, you'll overlook qualities in them that could end up hurting you. You might let them get away with abusive behaviour because your heart has taken over your better judgment.

So What's the Answer?
Whether or not you want to believe in love at first sight is up to you. Just don't go out there expecting to find it and get upset when you don't.

And when you meet someone you instantly swoon over, be aware that there's a whole lot about them you haven't seen yet - including some stuff that might not be so deserving of your love. 

10 Things You Need to Know About Love

1. Love does not hurt. Physical and/or emotional abuse are not a part of love.
2. Love is not manipulative, it should not be used to get others to do what you want. You should never give in to demands based on the, "You would do it if you loved me!" tactic.
3. Love is an intense feeling of caring for another person. It can take many different forms (romantic, friendly, familial) but it is always about caring.
4. Although it is true that a big part of love is putting another person's happiness ahead of your own this never includes compromising your values or being untrue to yourself.
5. If somebody asks you to do something that you don't want to do in order to "prove" your love they do not love you the way you might think they do. When you love another person you don't ask them to sacrifice a part of themselves in the name of that love.
6. It is very easy to confuse lust for love. The true measure of romantic love is commitment and trust not physical attraction.
7. It is possible to feel romantic love for more than one person at a given time. Just think, if it is possible for you to love both of your parents at the same time why would it be impossible to feel romantic love for two people at once? Don't beat yourself up emotionally if you find yourself in this unhappy situation. But be sure to remain single and be open and honest with all parties about your feelings and confusion.
8. Sex is NOT love. Love is NOT sex. Sex can be a part of romantic love but it is never mandatory.
9. Romantic love can (and often does) fade. When it goes there is not always a reason. When somebody falls out of love with you it does not reflect upon your value as a person or your desirability.
10. Love should make you feel happy, secure and appreciated.

Importance of Sex Education Among the Youth

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.