I don't think enough people appreciate how much faith is involved in opening your heart to someone. You're saying, "Here are the things that could hurt me. Here are the things I'm afraid of. Here is who I really am." And then you're hoping the other person will be kind with that information. When someone trusts you like that, don't see it as something ordinary. It never is.
Years ago, I was once in a relationship where I could say for certain - this would have been my reality, should we get married.
The decision to call it quits, became easier.
It really be the simple analogies.
Another one:
Ask yourself, "do I want my child to be like this person?"
even if you have been disappointed before, let yourself want things again. your hope is not embarrassing. your desire is not naive. your heart is allowed to stay open after being tested.
If two people are building together and are unsuccessful at it, why should the man take the blame for failure? Why is the woman who also participated in the building not holding herself accountable for the failure?