4 great ways to end a date

4 great ways to end a date
By Susan Rabin

Janet loved seeing the Russian painting exhibit with John; John thought the bicycle ride after the museum visit made for the best first date he’d ever had. She liked him, and he liked her. And both of them wanted to go out again. So why did they put themselves through the agony of waiting a few days to call and follow up with a second-date request? Well, most of us don’t want to expose our feelings before the other party does. It’s uncomfortable to be vulnerable — and what if we get rejected?

If you’ve ever been in this situation — and we bet you have — let me help. I wrote the book Lucky in Love: 52 Fabulous, Foolproof Flirting Strategies for Every Week of the Year, and I have some advice for you. Here are my four favorite ways to make it clear you’ve had a blast and would be game for another go.

1. Review the high points of your time together
Make a statement that expresses how much fun you had and also that you’re impressed by your date’s unique qualities, like: “Game night was a real hoot. I’m so glad you invited me. You’re really a pro at backgammon!” or “Remember when the rowboat had to go under that low bridge? You certainly know how to steer!” Comments like these will reassure your date that you like him or her and provide the perfect opportunity to plan a follow-up.

2. Check your calendar
So you’ve discovered that you both enjoy classic films, Southern rock or deep-sea fishing. If you know of some big event coming up that would be of interest, extend an invitation. “Would you be interested in going to the boat show next weekend? I was about to order tickets.” (Note: If you wind up not being able to get tickets after you’ve said this, explain the “sold out” status and ask if your date would be interested in meeting up anyway for brunch.)

3. Deploy the flirty handshake
Many singles have trouble with “the close.” The close is that precious moment at the end of a date where you must do something. Going for a kiss — especially if you’re not sure how you two connected or if that’s too bold a move for your date — can be intimidating, but if you get nervous and just shake hands, it can seem like a kiss-off. If you are interested in a second date, the flirting handshake works like a charm: It’s not too scary or too brusque for anyone! You shake hands, smile, nod, make eye contact and then add an all-important hand-over-hand motion. You squeeze your date’s hand tenderly, then — with your other hand — stroke his or her hand with several short movements from the wrist to the fingertips. Hold on to his or her hand gently, seductively, a little longer than normal. The flirting handshake says, “I loved our time together and would love to see you again.” It is an invitation to call — or move in for a kiss.

4. Take a risk by speaking your mind
Say something. Do something. This is my favorite suggestion, and I’ve saved it for last: Be honest and say what you feel. (No, not, “I think you’re so handsome I can totally see having your babies!”) Say you enjoyed the date or that you had a lot of fun and hope to get together again. Simple? Yes. Scary? A bit. But this tactic is low-pressure enough that even if he or she isn’t interested, the other person will smile and say something nice. And if your date is definitely feeling the same way, you’ll find out and walk away with plans for a second date. And isn’t that worth the risk?

Susan Rabin is author of Lucky in Love: 52 Fabulous, Foolproof Flirting Strategies for Every Week of the Year.

Quoted: http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=5942&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=741573

Human Inability

When was the last time you went on a church retreat? You probably came out of that experience feeling great, and on a spiritual high. One of the greatest miracles in the Bible is when Jesus fed 5,000 (which, including women and children, was probably around 20,000 people.). These people got to listen to sermons from God Himself for a few days, and then they were fed by His amazing power. It sounds life an awesome retreat!

Jesus had a huge surge in popularity (after all, why not follow a guy who can instantly fill my stomach?), but it was short lived. He follows His biggest miracle with one of His heaviest sermon in John 6:44: "Non one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him."

What does this message tell us? It tells us more about man that it does about God. It shows us that we are incapable of coming to Christ, unless He helps us. What is it that prevent us? Is it our physical incapability? No; after all, we just have to drop to our knees and repeat a string of words. Anyone can do that. No, rather our human inability comes from our very nature itself. As Charles Spurgeon puts it, "Permit me to show you wherein this inability really does lie. It lies deep in his nature. Through the fall, and through our own sin, the nature of man has become so debased, and depraved, and corrupt, that it is impossible for him to come to Christ without the assistance of God the Holy Spirit."

But this is what separates Christ, our lord and God, from the rest: Luke 18:27, "Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men, is possible with God.' " Although we are incapable of coming to Him, He is not incapable of coming to us.

Living Life