Expressing love in unique ways can bring additional romance and gratitude to your marriage. The idea of being spontaneous and doing the unexpected for the love of your life sounds perfect. But when you ask her what she would like for her birthday and you hear the phrase, "surprise me," you know you are toast.

You also know that she has expectations in her head of how amazing she wants the evening to be and you have no idea where to even start. Google becomes your best friend as you scroll through the ideas that men and women have shared, hoping the lightbulb above your head will spark any moment.

Before you hurt your brain and become an annoyance to everyone around you, have you thought about writing a poem? I know, I know, poems are for women ... but wait ... isn't she a woman? You need to remember who your audience is and what they would like. Instead of buying an expensive gift, possibly wasting hundreds of dollars on an item she is just going to return the next day, be original and give her poem expressing how you feel.

Don't know where to begin? Here are 13 short love poems that will sweep your wife off of her feet all over again. These may give you an idea of where to start.

Idle Dreams, by Joanna Fuchs

In idle dreams of long ago,
I imagined my true love;
A perfect match, a soulmate,
An angel from above.

Now you’re here, and now I know
Our love will stay and thrive and grow.

I Never Knew, by Joanna Fuchs

I never knew about happiness;
I didn’t think dreams came true;
I couldn’t really believe in love,
Until I finally met you.

Love So Amazing, by Elaine Chetty

My love for you is like the raging sea,
So powerful and deep it will forever be.
Through storm, wind, and heavy rain,
It will withstand every pain.
Our hearts are so pure and love so sweet.
I love you more with every heartbeat!

Your Smile On My Mind, by Luke O. Meyers

I wake up every day with your smile on my mind.
It's a beautiful sight to behold, so soft and so kind.
My dreams are filled with the thought of me and you.
I awake and smile, for my dreams have come true.

True Love, by Paul Smith

When I say I love you, please believe it's true.
When I say forever, know I'll never leave you.
When I say goodbye, promise me you won't cry,
Because the day I'll be saying that will be the day I die.

Sun Kissed, by Peter C. Free

A squillion stars shine in the sky.
Soaring angels sing sweet songs nearby.
I wake and smile, my dreams are true.
The star in my arms, my sun, is you.

When You're Next to Me, by Blake Auden

The world seems
somehow slower
when you are
next to me.
As though my senses
cannot focus
on anything
but you.

Make Me Feel, by Mariah Chandan

Take my heart; I'll give it with ease.
Take my hand and walk this journey with me.
Take these scars and heal them all up.
Take these fears and make them vanish when things get tough.
Take this smile and make it stretch so wide.
Take these arms and hold me oh so tight.
Take these feelings and make them real.
At the end, show me how to feel.

I Will Love You Forever, Anonymous

I love you so deeply,
I love you so much,
I love the sound of your voice
And the way that we touch.
I love your warm smile
And your kind, thoughtful way,
The joy that you bring
To my life every day.
I love you today
As I have from the start,
And I’ll love you forever
With all of my heart.

In All the World There Is, by Maya Angelou

In all the world there is

no heart for me like yours.

In all the world there is

no love for you like mine.

Love in Your Eyes, by Youseline Bazil

When I am looking into your eyes,
I see all the love you have for me.
I see in your eyes you care for me a lot.
I see your love for me is true,
And you will do whatever it takes to have me in your life.

When I am looking into your eyes,
I see your love for me is unconditional.
Your eyes tell me you will never leave me.
You will always stay by my side
To protect and cherish me.

When I am looking into your eyes,
I see with you everything is possible.
I see in your eyes your love for me is everlasting.
Your eyes tell me you really, really love me.

Each Thought of You, by Joanna Fuchs

Each thought of you fills me with sweet emotion;
I give to you my deepest devotion.
My fondest wishes you completely fulfill;
I love you totally, and I always will.

Princess, by Arlene Kay

The sound of your voice
Calling me by what I wish to be,
Ripples through the blood within me,
Causing my heart to melt,
Leaving me with a ridiculous smile
Planted on my face

Poems can be as short as one line or as long as a book. There is no limit to how you choose to express yourself. Don't feel restrained by these examples; feel inspired.

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You often hear that a happy marriage is based on mutual respect, good communication and the ability to forgive and be patient with each other. But never in a million years would you have put their ability to complete chores on the list.

According to a 2007 study by the Pew Research Center, adults have now ranked sharing household chores as number three on a list of what makes a marriage work. That means 62 percent of the adults participating in the study believe that after faithfulness and a happy sexual relationship, sharing the responsibility of household chores is the third most important factor in a happy marriage.

"The Atlantic" also studied this issue and discovered something kind of surprising. Even in families where the mother worked outside the home along with the father and possibly spent longer hours or made more money than him, the mother still took on more household responsibilities.

This unspoken arrangement is exhausting. Knowing that she has to do so much work around the home after spending such long hours at work can make her resentful or create some built-up anger.

Why are chores so important in your marriage?

Men and women want to feel equal to each other, especially in a marriage. In a study recently published in "Sex Roles," 220 newlyweds were asked questions about how they divided up the responsibilities and how it has worked in their marriage.

After gathering the data, the results showed that when the division of household chores was uneven, it negatively affected the wife's satisfaction with the marriage.

In a press release, lead writer Author Brian G. Ogolsky shared, "If a woman believes that household chores should be divided equally, what happens if they adopt a traditional approach to the matter? The most satisfied couples have similar expectations and follow through on them."

Expectations in marriage

Setting unrealistic expectations for your spouse can bring about great challenges. This doesn't mean you shouldn't assume your spouse will always love you, be faithful to you and never cheat on you. Those are things you both have promised to do.

It is when you begin to expect your husband will make the bed with you, pickup the groceries every Thursday and leave early from an important work meeting to pickup the kids from school that tension builds.

If you would like to divide the chores, you should sit down and discuss it. Explain the benefits of having him sweep the floor and you vacuuming the living room. Tell him you do not want to be the only one cleaning the home.

Assuming that he knows when you need help or that it is obvious how you expect him to pitch in as well reminds me of a quote from Gautama Buddha. "Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."

Chores demonstrate love

Many couples know that housework can be a way to demonstrate love, whether it is making sure the house is clean to relieve stress from the working spouse or doing the chores that you know your spouse does not want to do.

Here are a few ways that you and your spouse can find balance in the household chores:

• Do each other's least favorite chore so that you dread it less.

• Establish early on in your marriage what the chore routine will be.

• Be willing to mix-up the chores for a variety.

• Use this time to bond and make it almost like a date.

• Add the children to the chore chart when they reach the appropriate age.

Will this continue?

Based on a research study measuring the father's contribution in the home at the University of Maryland, the result revealed that men are stepping up to the plate. The difference between a man's amount of time spent each week on household chores doubled between 1965 and 2003. That isn't nearly as astonishing as the more than triple leap they took in childcare during the same years. Fathers used to spend 2.5 hours a week caring for their children, whereas now they spend more than 7 hours.

As the structure of the family has evolved over the past few centuries, it is predicted that the amount of work men and women do in the home will start to measure out to almost equal.

Chores should not create a wedge a between spouses. Use them to help you learn to work as a team. Not only will you feel respected, cared for and appreciated, but the toilets will be squeaky clean too.

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Little white lies are hard to spot, which is why they are effective when traveling alone. If you are taking a road trip for one, don't tell everyone. Pretending your "partner" is in the bathroom or ordering dinner or parking the car is much better than admitting you are on your own. Telling people you are alone leaves you more vulnerable, possibly in danger.

It isn't common for strangers to ask if individuals are alone. But if it does happen to you, it may be safest to just tell a white lie. Here are some times when pretending others are with you may come in handy.

• When someone is trying to sell you something ("Oh, I have to check with my husband first, but he's back at the hotel. I'll come back later.")

• When you do not feel comfortable somewhere

• When at a restaurant or convenient store

• When needing an excuse to not participate in activities

• When you are lost

I understand you don't want to get caught in a web of lies. But this small white lie may be the difference between having an incredible vacation and getting mugged by an absolute stranger.

As a solo traveler, remember the following additional tips to ensure your safety.

Travel light

Don't pack everything you own and haul it around downtown. That is asking for trouble. If you are going to walk around with a backpack, be cautious. Some locations have higher rates of stealing, so you may want to ask locals at your intended destination what they recommend.

Keep your phone hidden

Letting potential thieves see the technology you carry around or how much money you have could make you more prone to be a victim of theft. Although smart phone apps are valuable, try your best to pull your phone out as little as possible.

Learn life-saving phrases in the language

If you are traveling to a foreign country, it is especially essential to learn phrases such as "Help," or "Call the police." Only knowing how to say, "Please," "Thank you," and "Where is the restroom?" will likely not save your life.

Have a plan

When you are wandering around empty streets at night, trying to find something to do, you are putting yourself in great danger. Stay with people as much as possible and never wander at night alone.

Arm yourself

A self-defense class would be great if you are preparing to go on a solo trip in a few months. But if you do not have all that time, consider taking a rolled-up newspaper, umbrella or walking stick with you.

Check in often

Make sure you are constantly checking in with your family or friends back at home. In case anything were to happen to you, it is important for someone to know where you are and what activities you are doing so that you have the best chance of getting immediate help.

Do you have safety tips for traveling alone? Share them with us!

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Being a wife is not an easy task, especially when you are a mother as well. The feeling of failure as you and remember all of your imperfections brings you down. But discouragement limits your true potential.

When times are tough and you find yourself doubting your actions and your ability to be the spouse you always wished you could be, turn to sacred passages in the Bible. They are meant to uplift you in such times. These passages were not written for you to glance at when you have an extra five minutes. They were recorded for you to study during times of doubt and sorrow.

Here is a list of 10 Bible verses that will help you be the wife you want to become.

1. 2 Corinthians 13:11

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

Separate yourself from the evil ways of the world. Know God's love and peace conquers all fear and doubt. He will stand beside you when you feel alone. He will help you see the person in your life who can help you most - your husband.

2. James 3:18

"Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

Creating a peaceful home means you need to be a peacemaker yourself. Live as a peacemaker to create the healthy home atmosphere you desire.

3. Proverbs 15:1

"A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."

Our words have power. They can lift or destroy even the strongest of souls. Choose to speak to your spouse with kindness and love. Doing so will show respect and compassion towards the man you can't imagine life without.

4. Romans 12:2

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Take steps found in the Bible to renew your mind of the teachings and truths you want to instill in your family. Do not be of the world.

5. Psalm 25:5

"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day."

Let God work through you in prayer, word and action. Following what he commands is the best way to succeed at being a wife.

6. Psalm 19:14

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

Before you choose to again yell at your husband for not doing what he promised to do, think of this verse. What comes out of your mouth after you think of it will be a lot more pleasant and received much better.

7. 1 Timothy 4:15

"Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all."

Your ministry is to your family, which may only be a spouse right now, but that just means you need to give him your entire attention. Minister in your home.

8. 1 Chronicles 16:11

"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!"

Seek after God in order to be able to obtain a small percentage of the strength he has and wants to share with you. His strength comes as you try to strengthen your weaknesses and thank him each day for his grace.

9. Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

God loved you so much that he crucified himself for you. Living life by faith and remembrance of what he has done helps you to look at the bigger picture when gazing at your love. This will do more for your relationship than you may ever realize.

10. Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord your God is in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

God fulfills you; don't rely on your husband for this. God has already done his part in fulfilling his promises and he will continue to for as long as you live. Don't look to your husband to give you fulfillment in this life. That's not his job; it's God's.

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The week isn't even halfway over and all you want is Saturday to get here sooner. Your bad mood has spread, causing your family, friends and those you work with or associate with on a daily basis to feel it too.

If this is you, STOP IT!

You're bumming everyone out with your negative energy!

If you aren't sure how to get rid of your bad attitude, here are 11 scientifically proven tactics guaranteed to turn that frown upside down.

1. Light a vanilla-scented candle

According to a study conducted in the journal "Chemical Senses,"the smell of vanilla bean was ranked one of the most uplifting and relaxing scents.

2. Eat a clementine

In the same "Chemical Senses" study, participants voted this scented fruit as the most positive and arousing smell.

3. Call your mom

The sound of your mother's voice can mitigate stress and can activate the oxytocin in your body. These are two of the greatest ways to make you happy. This fact is based off of an experiment in which researchers stressed out young girls and then let them call their mothers. The ones who called their mom felt much better than the ones who did not.

4. Say, "thank you"

The act of gratitude has the power to change your attitude instantly. Take a moment to write a thank you note to someone who has had a positive impact on your life or just write down what you are thankful for to increase your feelings of gratitude.

5. Do your happy walk

Stand up straight, put your shoulders back and walk proud. Even if you do not feel happy, walking like it can actually change your attitude.

6. Make your phone background green

According to a recent discovery, the color green has a calming affect, making people feel comfortable and at peace. It's ability to improve your mood is much more effective than you may realize.

7. Listen to upbeat music

The University of Missouri conducted a research study about music and found that people who listened to upbeat music in order to make them happy were more successful than those who stuck to their old playlist.

8. Buy an experience, not a hotdog

When you purchase a new book or song, your happiness is genuine and will help your stress diminish. According to a recent study, the most effective type of purchase is one that reflects your true values.

9. Relax in the sun

Most everyone knows that getting fresh air can relieve even the worst of moods, but people are too lazy to do it. Even if you cannot go outside, open the blinds. In a study testing older adults who are suffering from depression, participants were exposed to bright and dim lights in the hopes of discovering if the level of light influenced happiness. The study revealed that the brighter the light - as bright as the sun is best - the happier the person.

10. Forget passive aggression

Share how you truly feel. A study published in "The Journal of Social Psychology" shares that those who express their concerns head-on in the hopes to fix them are a lot happier with themselves and their relationships.

11. Give it a shot

It has been proven that people who try to improve their moods will do better if they go in with a willingness to change. You have to put yourself in a vulnerable state to become the person you hope to be.

Don't settle for a day that is OKTry at least one of these tactics that have helped thousands of people around the world become happier than they ever thought they could be. The difference just may be astonishing.

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Researchers have found that there is a direct correlation between good mental health and believing in a higher power. Whether you are Buddhist, Catholic, Muslim, Christian, Jewish or belief in another faith, you are more likely to have less stress and better mental health than those who do not affiliate themselves with any religious group.

Study #1: Better mental health

Researchers at the University of Missouri analyzed the results of three studies and the results of their findings are astonishing.

The surveys interviewed 160 people total. Of that group, 40 were Buddhist, 41 were Catholic, 22 were Jewish, 26 were Muslim and 31 were Protestant. Amongst all of the faiths, those who said that they were actively spiritual had better mental health, were more extroverted and were less likely to be neurotic.

But why is that?

As researchers looked into the personality traits of each participant, they also compared levels of mental health. While one type of personality wasn't determined to be "healthier" than another type, researchers did conclude that those who believed in a higher power and believed in forgiveness were mentally happier than those who didn't.

Study #2: Treatment was more successful

In the Journal of Affective Disorders, researchers followed patients receiving care from a hospital-based behavioral health program, hoping to correlate their relationship with religion and the outcome of their treatments.

They were not surprised when they found that those who believed in a higher power did significantly better with short-term psychiatric treatment.

While assessing the same 159 patients over a one-year period in 2013, researchers examined depression levels, overall well-being and risk of self-harm at the beginning and end of the treatment program. After the conclusion of the study, the patients who did not belief in a higher power were twice as likely not to respond to treatment.

"Belief was associated with not only improved psychological well-being, but decreases in depression and intention to self-harm," says David H. Rosmarin, Ph.D., and instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Study #3: Less Depression

In another analysis, Dr. Harold G Koenig, director of the Center of Spirituality, reviewed 93 studies and found that religious individuals involved in the studies had fewer depressive symptoms.

The conclusion of every study revealed that spiritual belief is, in fact, associated with mental health.

But Why? How?

Knowing that there is a higher power watching over you seems to have more impact on your everyday life than you may have ever realized.

The details on exactly how religious conviction correlates to your health aren't clear. However, there are some thoughts on the subject:

Daniel Cohen, one of the authors of the first study shared how "spiritual beliefs may be a coping device to help individuals deal emotionally with stress." Cohen's hypothesis has not been proven fact yet, but a great number of studies and analysis support his claim. While you don't need scientific evidence to strengthen your religious conviction, it does help to know that your spirituality does contribute to your overall health.

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When you're in a rush and you reach for the box of cereal, only to pour out a bunch of crumbs, you wish you hadn't gotten up in the first place. No matter how good your morning is going, no one had time to pick out each individual Cheerio from a sea of crumbs. But don't crawl under your sheets and cry just yet; there's an easy solution to this cereal predicament, as well as other hacks to make your morning a breeze.

1.First, pour your cereal in a colander to prevent a "crumby" morning (Get it? "Crumby"?)

2. Get a magnetic strip for your bobby pins so you don't have to search your carpet floor ever again.

3. Add a dot of hot glue to your hangers to help you clothes hang dry and stay on the hanger better. No more morning waking up to rumpled clothes that have fallen on the floor.

4. Keep all of your jewelry hung up or organized in a shoebox so you aren't looking through a messy stack of tangled necklaces and mismatched earrings.

5. Commands hooks are in instant solution for curling iron cords that like to tangle. Hang a wire basket on the inside of a drawer for easy access.

6.Mason jars are cute and are the perfect shape to store things of multiple sizes. Having a cute display means never needing to sift through random boxes and bags below your sink for a Q-Tip.

7. Hang outfit pieces together to save you precious time in the morning.

8. Throw away the tights with runs in them and socks with holes the minute it happens. You will not wear it again, so why put them in a drawer, ready for you to grab on busy mornings?

9. Avoid buying clothes that get creased easily for breeze free wardrobe planning.

10. Iron your shirts BEFORE you hang them up so you can avoid doing it in the morning.

11. Moisturize in the shower so that you don't waste time afterwards.

12. Check the weather the night before. No need to try on a zillion summer outfits if it's just going to rain.

13. Prepare your breakfast the night before and have it in the fridge for easy access.

14. Leave your blinds open to naturally wake up your body and give you the dose of energy you were looking for.

15. Turn up the music to wake you up and improve your mood (and get you out of bed).

16. Forgot to iron last night? Spray some water on it or put it in the bathroom while you take a shower and watch the wrinkles evaporate.

17. Drink a glass of water the second you wake up to wake you up and get you hydrated.

18. Put your keys on top of anything you don't want to forget.

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Knives everywhere, heavy cookware, raw foods, old bacteria...the list of reasons why the kitchen can be harmful goes on and on.

According to the statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 2 million people become infected with foodborne bacteria each year and at least 23,000 people die from these types of infections.

Those statistics are scary, even without little children to worry about. The ways your kids can hurt themselves in the kitchen is probably longer than all the Harry Potter books combined. The goods news is there are many easy solutions to make your kitchen a safer place for not only your children, but you as well.

1.Know how to use a sponge

What do you do with your sponge once you have finished washing the dishes? The correct answer is to clean it and store it away from the sink. If you leave even the smallest bit of food on the sponge, bacteria will accumulate on the surface making it a health hazard to use again. Laying down your bacteria infested sponge next to a wet surface (like the sink) causes the germs to grow at a much faster rate. Quickly sanitize your sponge after use by microwaving it for two minutes. Above all, replace kitchen sponges frequently.

2. Stop cross-contaminating your meats

Once a raw piece of meat has touched a plate, nothing else should be placed on it. Hand wash all surfaces immediately to remove the bacteria before it grows. The same goes for counter spaces, cutting boards, pans, etc. It's easy to forget that the tongs you flipped the chicken over with shouldn't be used for the salad if it's left on the counter. Immediately washing surfaces that have come in contact with raw meat is an easy way to keep your family safe.

3. Avoid waiting to place hot food into the fridge

Even though your homemade soup is scorching hot, don't leave it out until it is completely cooled before sticking it into the fridge. Leaving out hot foods for too long allows bacteria to grow. Wait for a few minutes so you don't have too much condensation build up in your Tupperware container before sticking warm foods in the fridge.

4. Wash your fruits, vegetable, and meats before consumption

There are chemicals, dirt, and other germs on your fruits and vegetables when you bring them home from the store. Washing your food before eating cuts down on the risk of injesting these chemicals and other harmful materials.

5. Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove

Children are very curious, especially in the kitchen. They have never used an oven, microwave, or knife before which will make them wonder how to. To prevent an accident, keep the handles of your pots and pans on the stove away from you. Kids are less likely to reach up and grab the pot if the handle is out of reach.

6. Wash your hands before handling food

This one is very self-explanatory but can be difficult to remember, especially if you are a busy mom who is constantly interrupted. You must wash your hands before you handle food, especially poultry and meats.

7. Keep plugs and cords unfrayed and hidden well

Electrical shocks happen more often then you may think. Especially in the kitchen, it is important to keep all electrical appliances in proper working order. Spilled liquids and frayed cords are not a good mix.

8. Clean up spills and counters immediately

When cooking, it is easy to forget the spills you have made only to slip into them later on. Not only is this dangerous because you will likely fall and hurt yourself, but if you forget to wipe off a counter that was used to dice raw chicken, the next thing that gets placed there will be contaminated by bacteria. Wipe up everything right away to avoid both issues.

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With the various car crashes and injuries (not to mention the obsessive teenagers walking around your backyard around 3 a.m.), it is hard to see what benefits Pokémon Go really has to offer.

However, one mother of a 6-year-old boy with autism would beg to differ. Lenore Koppelman has seen her son Ralphie become a new boy thanks to the game.

Ralphie Koppelman has autism spectrum disorder and hyperlexia. This has made social interactions with children his age very difficult. He had been known to scare children when they have asked him to play with them. But Pokémon Go changed everything.

Minutes after downloading the game, his parents were shocked. He was smiling, laughing and even high-fiving kids he had never met.

"I would call it Ralph's first taste of what it's like to have something in common with the rest of the world," Lenore told

TODAY.

On the first night he played, Ralphie worked with a girl who was searching for Pokémon at a bakery. Later, he looked a boy in the eye and smiled at him. But what happened after both instances is even more of a miracle.

Ralphie likes to stick to his usual routine, so when he was asked to go to the park where other kids were searching for more Pokémon, Lenore was positive he would not tag along.

Despite her belief, Ralphie and his new friend ran off together without thinking twice.

"He was suddenly part of this group that was all catching Pokémon together," Ralphie's mom said. As she was overcome with emotion, she cried behind the slide. Seeing young children welcome Ralphie with open arms was indescribable.

He broke out of his shell and became a new boy.

On July 12 she shared her excitement on Facebook saying, "MY AUTISTIC CHILD IS SOCIALIZING. Talking to people. Smiling at people. Verbalizing. Participating in pragmatic speech. With total strangers. Looking up at them. Sometimes even in the eye. Laughing with them."

Many other families with children with autism saw her post and shared that they were experiencing the same phenomenon.

A simple gaming app has done wonders for not just one child but multiple children with autism.

Who's to say smart phones don't have healing powers?

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It has been said that money cannot buy you happiness. But if that is true, what can? What is the secret to living a more fulfilling and meaningful life?

Harvard conducted a study lasting 75 years to try to find the secret to a happy life. Here is what they found:

The study

The study followed 268 male undergraduates from Harvard over the course of 75 years. George E. Vaillant, American psychiatrist and professor at Harvard Medical School, led the study. He kept track of the failures and successes in relationships, parenting, jobs and even kept track of substance abuse.

As he analyzed the predictors of happiness, he realized that the strongest predictor of health and happiness was intimacy and love. For example, the men who had commitment phobia and would not allow themselves to be loved by other individuals were the most unhappy.

Many of the men in the study realized that they were not happy in life because they did not have the love of a partner, so they were able to change their patterns and turn around full circle, increasing their happiness to the fullest.

The conclusion

Written in Valliant's book, "Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard Grant Study," he shared his conclusion to the study. "The seventy-five years and twenty million dollars expended on the Grant Study points to a straightforward five-word conclusion: Happiness is love. Full stop."

If you want to be on the road to happiness, don't think you need romantic love. Romantic love specifically was not the only predictor of happiness. It was close relationships with children, parents, siblings and friends as well.

How can I get the love that will make me happy?

The answer is different for everyone. Saying that being flirtatious around people, signing up for a dating website, or "putting yourself out there" is going to help you will do you no good. You have probably tried those extremely vague suggestions before. Here is a suggestion that may be more effective: Eliminate the biases.

Without realizing it, you have made dating scary. You have defined a type of person as unfriendly or unapproachable, which is another way for you to make an excuse as to why you are still alone.

Don't do that to yourself.

Seeking out the things that are a bit scary and branching into new territory is a great start to finding someone to love.

Pre-judging a person is far too easy and does not make you happy or put you on the right track to finding someone to love.

Based on the Harvard study, love is one of the biggest ways to achieve true happiness. Why deprive yourself of something so phenomenal?

Now when you hear someone say, "I don't need love to be happy," you can give a punching comeback by saying, "Well, science has proven you wrong."

If you are in love, hold on tight. The ride may be incredibly bumpy at times and seem almost impossible to find your way back, but when you do, you will have true happiness for the rest of your days. It's been proven.

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