Actions speak louder than words. You can’t rush things. Just go with the flow. Leave them if they don’t treat you right. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.

Advice I’ve received and advice I’ve definitely given, but advice I’ve never taken.

You meet someone, you mesh, things are good…until they’re not. Until both of you aren’t on the same page. Until one of you finds something or someone “better.” Until things start to fall apart.

Against your better judgement, and against the instructions from your friends, you give them another chance. And another. And another. The next thing you know, you’re stuck in a cycle of repetition. A carousel you can’t get off of.

So you take a step back. Something finally clicks and, for you, things are back to normal. You’re living your best life. Doing things you enjoy. There’s no pressure, there’s no expectations. It’s just you, and for once, you’re happy.

And then they come back. By this time, you’ve separated the love that you had for them and your attraction. By doing this, a friendship is forged. Regardless of who was at fault before, that doesn’t matter now. Your friendship is strong and you’re on the same team. The past doesn’t matter because you’re not in that position anymore.

And then, things change again. You blink and you’re in that position again. But now, the shoe is on the other foot, the ball is in your court.

What do you do? Do you repeat the same cycle and try to enjoy the merry-go-round? Do you believe them right off the bat? Are you skeptical?

Unfortunately, you’re going to do all of the above. If you’re unlucky, the carousel will keep spinning with no end in sight.

But if you’re lucky, really extremely lucky, this time could be the one that is different. The merry-go-round could stop and the two of you could get off hand in hand. This could be the start of something great.

So what are you going to do? Is the reward worth the risk or are you going to stop things before they even begin? The choice is yours.