A lot of people love the idea of having you, but they do not know how to treat you. All they say is "you know l love you" or "you are my everything". I think as people we have forgotten that love is not everything. Love is a full circle, not a quarter or half. There is a word called "RESPECT" and many of us don't know how to spell it. We think it's spelt C-O-N-T-R-O-L .  Control is toxic to relationships.

Love without respect has caused untold suffering to numerous people. It has made our sisters, mothers, brothers and others to be blue and black or victims.

5 ways to protect yourself from heartbreak.

1. Being content and confidence.

" Happiness is not ready-made. It comes from your own actions" - Dalai Lama

Being happy is the quickest and safest way to obtain real wealth and it is everlasting if it is self- generated. Never allow other people to spread happiness to you like butter. Life is marvellous when you are in the driving seat of your contentment, therefore happiness should be your priority.

"Happiness and confidence are the prettiest things you can wear"- Taylor Swift.

When you have both, stress will never exist in your life. When people are taking you for granted. It is the confidence that gives you the courage to walk away from them because of you aware that they want to dim your happiness. Opportunities come to those with confidence, without it you are twice defeated in the race of life.

2. Enjoy solitude

"Without great solitude no serious work is possible." - Pablo Picasso

A strong person does not fear to be alone. Enjoying solitude means your life can still be glorious with or without people. The power of being alone is that you become aware of yourself and the people around you at the same time. Thinking deeply or carefully about something helps you to come up with answers to the questions you ask yourself. For instance, a person you trust is planning to hurt you. It is through reflecting that you can see that he or she is acting weird. The thought process helps you to eschew or see things before they happen. No one catches a person who enjoys being alone off-guard.

3. Put yourself first.

" You always have to remember to take care of you first and foremost, because when you stop taking care of yourself, you get out of balance and you really forget how to take care of others."-Jada Pinkett Smith

In a world where people move mountains to please other people. It is of paramount importance to be the best of yourself, not others. The advantage of putting yourself first is that you don't have expectations with people and you set high standards for yourself.

When you love yourself first, you don't stay in an abusive marriage to please family and friends or for the reason that you have kids. You file for divorce before things get worse.

When you prioritize yourself you don't sleep with your boyfriend without protection, just because he is paying the electric and water bill. It is easy to say no when you have principles that guide you.

You are not doing anyone a favour by putting yourself first. It is your responsibility to love yourself.

4. Believe in yourself.

"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities. Without humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy."- Norman Vincent Peale

People will always have something to say, whether you are doing good or bad. The recipe for a good life starts with believing in your abilities.

If you believe that you are going to win American idols or Miss World go for it. One day you will be a great actor, actress, singer, director, or leader work towards it. If you don't make it this year, it does not mean you are not going to make it for the rest of your life. Keep on keeping on at what you are doing. Confidence is the mother of patience.
Make sure you don't see yourself, your vision, your purpose, your God through the eyes of negative people.

In the words of Jamaican great reggae artist Richie Spice, l say "See yourself the strongest, see yourself the highest and see yourself the greatest."

5. Trust in God

"Faith puts us in a right relationship with God."- Romans 5:11         

Joseph, Jacob and David trusted God wholeheartedly, hence they had a great relationship with God. Allowing God to be part of everything you do is the only guarantee to a joyous life.

Tell God that you are going to the supermarket so that he can save you from impulse buying. Say something to God before you log in on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, Youtube, or before you use the Internet because there are many things, people or demons that can break your heart or lead you astray. God will never neglect those who trust in him. Inform God everything and you will not worry about anything.

"Above all else, guard your heart  for everything you do flows from it."- Proverbs 23:4

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