From the "Modern Love" New York Times series, a list by editor Daniel Jones of "Seven Ways to Love Better":

1. Love is more like a basketball than a vase. — when there is conflict, a "relationship is made for bouncing ..."
2. Your curiosity is more appealing than your accomplishments. — "... being curious about people you meet is far more seductive than talking about your accomplishments. ..."
3. Be present, especially with your loved ones. — "... Be in the moment. Stop thinking about the future or the past, about what may or may not happen, and put away your phone. If a child in your lap asks about the best part of your day, say, 'This is.' ..."
4. Write well, love well. — "... the qualities of good personal writing — honesty, generosity, open-mindedness, curiosity, humor and humility — are the same as the qualities of someone with whom you would want to have a relationship. Likewise, the qualities of bad personal writing — dishonesty, withholding, blame, pettiness, dismissiveness and egotism — are the same as the qualities of someone with whom you would not want to have a relationship. ..."
5. Always lead with empathy.
6. Appreciate the beauty of impermanence.
7. Relationships don’t have to last to be good. — "... 'It’s not about getting over and letting go. It’s about honoring what happened. You met a person who awoke something in you. A fire ignited. The work is to be grateful. Grateful every day that someone crossed your path and left a mark on you.' ..."

_{(cf This Is How It Always Is (2018-02-02), Closeness Generation Questions (2021-07-20), Partner Change and Changing (2022-04-28), Mantra - Sit with the Void (2023-10-27), Zhiji (2024-09-20), ...) - ^z - 2024-10-13}