If you have ever read teen magazines you will be familiar with the myriad tests they offer their readers. You can find out everything from which type of jelly bean you are to which celebrity is your soul mate. But what about the relationship test that purports to tell you whether you and your spouse or companion are compatible? After twenty multiple choice questions the test tells you to either keep them around or dump them.

The fact of the matter is that no relationship test can truly analyze all of the factors that indicate whether a relationship will or won't work. Personality specialists emphasize that each personality type has different strengths and weaknesses and that any two types of personalities can be happily married their whole lives, so long as they are aware of their differences and work hard to make their marriage a success.

My mother had a rule that we couldn't complain about something she cooked until after we had tried it. The principle she was trying to teach was - the best way to figure out if you like something is to try it.

The best relationship test to take is life - try it out for while. Who cares if a magazine quiz says the planets aren't aligned for you and your mate. If you are dating and you're happier than ever, keep it up. And even if a magazine tells you that you have found your soul mate, but you are unhappy or the relationship is abusive, get out of it.

• Communicate, communicate, communicate. While many people don't have a problem expressing accurately their feelings or emotions, some people do. That is not an excuse, however, to not share with your partner what you're thinking or feeling. If you fail to communicate your relationship will suffer.
• Spend time together. Don't justify spending only 15 minutes a day with your spouse by calling it quality time. Quality is important, but quantity time is especially crucial with regards to relationships. Make sacrifices and spend time together.
• Be 100% loyal. Your commitment to the success of your relationship cannot be complete if you are flirting or otherwise involved with another person besides your spouse. If you have a problem with this, now is the time make changes in your life. If you suspect that a child may be yours, DNA relationship tests are available to help determine your relationship to a child. Take responsibility for your actions.

No matter what any magazine tells you, if you want to make your relationship work, it will take time, effort, and loyalty. Put your relationship to the real test by trying for success.

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