I'll be the first to admit how totally clueless about women's needs, love and relationships most of us men can be. Sometimes women believe that we're just insensitive pigs, but the truth often is, we're just clueless about what she's talking about. Anyway, here's how I somehow got a clue about a few things; hope this helps guys or women, the guy in your life!

A few weeks ago, one of my wife's sisters was getting married, so all the others chipped in to help the best way they could. As luck would have it, the task of preparing for the wedding shower fell to Lonnie.

Now my schedule was already filled with various assignments but anyhow, I decided to totally clear it for the day, and help Lonnie as best as I could. Needless to say, she was totally surprised because she knew I had a few things to do that day, but I didn't care, I just wanted to help her out.

When we got to the room, it was a total mess, so we set about trying to clean it up before we decorated. As we mopped and swept together, we chatted. As we decorated, hung balloons, decorated tables and made floral arrangements together we chatted and laughed endlessly. Late in the afternoon we left the room tired, but happy.

After refreshing ourselves we headed back to the party, and even though I was tired, I still helped with the entertainment, food serving, and the clean-up afterwards.

When we finally left, we returned home totally exhausted and immediately fell asleep.

Over the next few days, I noticed and incredible increase in intimacy and passion. It was as if Lonnie was falling over herself to please me. She was bubbly, sex was "WOW", and she even found time to work on a few projects with me. I was speechless to say the least.

When I couldn't understand it any further, I had to ask her about what was happening. Here's what I learnt.

• The importance of people/things can be measured by how much time we invest in them. As men we spend lots of time on our cars, our buddies, our careers, our sports teams then when asked for our time by our spouses, we're tired or too busy. No wonder the women in our lives never believe us when we tell them "you are important to me". Why should they believe us when we don't prove it by investing time with them?

• The essence of love is not what we do or provide for the other person, but how much we give of ourselves. This is sad guys but most of us thought and believed that if there's food in the house, roof overhead, bills paid, kids got what they wanted, we've somehow done our manly duties. Then we get frustrated, irritated and confused and scream "I don't understand my wife and kids, I provide all they need, what more could they want. Truth is, they want you! Your eyes, ears, time, presence, attention; your time. Nothing - No-thing will ever take place of that.

• Why is your time so important? Time is your most precious asset. You can make more money, get more education, get more jobs, but you can never make or get more time. Why do you think your years on earth are measured as "life-time"? Because as time is spent, so is your very life. When you give someone or something your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back.

  Since your time is your life, don't you think it's the greatest gift you can give someone?

Even though roses, diamonds and chocolates are often seen as gifts of love, if you really love your kids and your wife like you say you do, and if they truly are important to you, then give them the most desired gift of love and your best investment.

Invest Your Life - Invest Your Time

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