Can I be friends with my ex?

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Can exes really be friends



Most relationships end in irreconcilable ways. It's always sad to see these romances turn sour. To see the same person who used to give you so much joy suddenly become a source of tremendous pain. As such when such a relationship ends, people often do not even want to see the other one ever again, to be friends would be inconceivable. There's a "but"...but this is not always the case. In some cases people gradually draw apart, perhaps it is distance that drives a wedge between them. A romantic relationship is no longer a possibility, but losing each other completely would be silly, to be polite. There are also cases where the party that has messed up, owns their mistake and wants to have a civil relationship. One in which you can be in the same room without feeling like killing one another. Can I be friends with my ex? I have been asked often. At times it's worded differently "Is it okay that he is still friends with his ex?" "Is it normal that he/she still talks to his/her ex?" Situations are different, but I'll attempt to give an answer to this question. If this article does not cover your specific needs, please feel free to leave a comment below or engage me in our "Ask the Expert" page. 

I can be friends with my ex


Some of the people who I would call friends have dated me, one way or another. It's not exactly a common thing in most men, but it is for me. Most of the people who have dated me, have given some of their precious time and tears to an utter moron, pardon my French. I was young. Well, as I have grown older and found comfort in who I am, I have wanted to make right of some of those wrongs. This has led to contacting some of those old flames. As expected it did not always start well, they have grievances, but we were able to resolve these. If you have the motivation and no ulterior motive, you can be friends with your ex, provided the sentiments are shared.

The Sex Factor


If there was sex involved in your relationship, forget friendship. Yes, there will be some anomalies. However for the most part, once the sex factor comes into play, emotions are on another level, and these cannot be reversed. The only time this is possible is when you have both moved on and are happier than you were with each other. That way you can always do the good old double dating.

Hurt


Most relationships end with either one or both parties hurt. In that case, friendship can be very tricky. I have always been a very forgiving person, for reason that I know not! It is easy for me to look past faults, but it is not always easy for the other party. Perhaps this is partly because 99% of the time it was I that was in the wrong. Being admittedly wrong has a way of humbling you. If you hurt him/her, be very careful when pursuing friendship. There is always a possibility of vengeance once you have gotten comfortable and gotten your guards down. If you can avoid it, play safe.

Leave a comment below, let's talk.

-Gary

Should we date if we are of different religions?

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Can I date someone of a different religion?


I was raised in a Christian home, in a Christian country and as such I would generally meet Christian women. Therefore I have mostly dated Christians. As I have grown older and travelled to various parts of the world, I have met some truly remarkable women. They have been from other parts of the world, and of different religions to me, in some cases. I therefore found myself faced with a conundrum that I had previously never had to deal with. I am Christian, can I date a woman who is not? Hmmm. Well, I have dated a Muslim and have been affiliated with a Hindu girl as well. So my response to this question has been formulated from these experiences.


Can I date someone of a different religion?

Attraction


We cannot choose who we are attracted to. In the last couple of years I have been fighting that notion, which is probably one of the reasons why I have not been as keen in dating. I have been trying to understand why it is that while others go on about women’s bums and boobs I am more drawn to the smiles. Don’t get me wrong, I love boobs, I think they are a phenomenal creation. However, that is not the first thing that grabs my attention about a woman. It’s her smile. Religion has women dressing in all sort of different ways, but I find them all attractive because what I look for is always in eye shot. They can all draw my attention, regardless of their religion.

Home maker


As I have grown older I have begun to realise how amazing Muslim women are as home makers. Some will say “they are oppressed”, which I can agree with in some instances, but not in all. One of the few that I call friends is a Muslim man. His wife is treated like a queen. I am looking for a person to build a home with, and not all females are suitable for this role.

Key differences


When I dated a Muslim girl, she would always check whether I had eaten pork before kissing me. She’d always remark on how disgusting she thought pork was. To this I’d always wonder, how the kissing fits in with her religious views. I guess, I was also on the wrong side of my own religion.

  • You will not agree on food. Unless one of you is willing to compromise.
  • You will not agree on prayer practices. Unless one of you is willing to compromise.
  • In Islam, apostasy is punishable by death. That petrifies me. Your woman/man could be essentially choosing between you and life.
  • Christianity frowns upon such practices as well. The bible says to not be unequally yoked. 
  • In Hinduism it is more or less the same as in Islam. You are to marry within.


Conclusion


What it boils down to is a question of what you are willing to sacrifice. It can be a very complicated affair, choose wisely. Do not let anyone dictate to you, who you are to or not to love. Love is universal. What are your thoughts? If you are going through a similar situation, let’s talk. If you have questions or comments feel free to raise them.