Seek a relationship for the sake of love (not fear). Many people today desire a relationship because they are afraid. They want to escape what hurts them or their life, so they look for a replacement person, object, or situation that will make them feel better. This is called seeking a cure for your pain by attaching yourself to someone or something else. The cure can never be found in another person. Love is not just an emotion but also a choice. You can only choose to love others. It starts with you and then flows out into the world. If you want to truly love someone, let it flow from your heart. Don't try to force it down others' throats. That's not love, it's manipulation. Allow them to decide how they feel about you. Don't demand respect, show it freely given. Don't expect gratitude, give without expectation. And most important, don't expect love back - it isn't given, it isn't deserved. The more you focus on getting love in return, the less you'll have to offer. If you want to help others, start with yourself. Look within and work on fixing your own issues before trying to fix others'.