Creating the Relationship of Your Dreams: How to Manifest it From Fantasy to Reality

By Thomas Ziemann, Edie Weinstein and Jennifer Blankl

Are you curious about ways to create the relationship of your dreams? Perhaps you've recently ended a relationship and are ready to move on to a better, more fulfilling one or are looking for ideas to keep your current one fresh. Maybe you have been long single and are eager to get back in the dating pool.

Are you anticipating

• Language: English
• Publisher: Z-Enterprizes,, LLC
• Release date: Aug 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781734770667

Thomas Ziemann

Thomas E. Ziemann is a motivational speaker and spiritual researcher. Tom delivers engaging, uplifting lectures on Relationships, Life Purpose, Meditation, and Anger Management. Tom has written 2 other acclaimed books,"The Department of Zenitation: A Laymen's Guide to Making Spirituality Work in Real Life" and "Taming the Anger Dragon: From PISSED OFF to Peaceful". Both available on Amazon.com He is the proud father of two brilliant daughters, married to his best friend, and is a loving Cat Daddy for their ten cats. He lives near Portland, Oregon.

Book preview

Introduction

When I started this project, my dear friend Marc asked me a question. He is a very rational thinker. He doesn't sugarcoat answers either. Over the years, he has posed very tough questions to me.

He said, Tom, with literally thousands of books on relationships already written, why yours? What will be different about it? I smiled and said, You know, that's a great question, I'm glad you asked it. As you know I have been researching relationships for decades; as well as many years of writing on the subject and connecting with readers through my blogs. This led me to explore the many habits, beliefs, and experiences of others. It makes me believe that I have a highly informative book to share.

Some incredible books gave me wonderful insight and have made me ponder what a good relationship is. The 5 Love Languages is one of my favorites. That said, I hadn't found one book that encompassed all the aspects for which I was looking for under one cover that fully resonated with me."

Without hesitation he said: Go on.

I continued, Having been in many failed relationships, I wanted to share where I fell short so others might glean the lessons without having to repeat my mistakes themselves. I would include things that worked for me. Being extremely careful not to suggest my ideas were right or the only way to achieve Relationship Perfection or Nirvana. Nor would they be Pollyannaish or pie in the sky and unachievable. Simply put, these thoughts would be easy to relate to without any complicated psychological jargon. These ideas could be understood on both an intellectual and emotional level simultaneously.

No relationship is ever perfect; all have different challenges and levels of uniqueness. In my book, I wanted to address the entire animal from start to finish.

Seeking out a meaningful relationship, one that fits well with the reader's wants. Sharing tools to help them choose the right one, that will work based on what they desire. What they want and need to feel fulfilled.

Knowing who they are completely makes this possible; helping them evaluate past relationships, what worked and what didn't.

Appraising their current relationship, is it working for both of them? And delve deep into a potential relationship, will it stand the test of time? Are you both compatible?

Moreover, sharing suggestions on how to keep a relationship alive, learning how to share one's thoughts constructively and even fight fair concerning conflicts.

I am neither a Psychologist nor licensed therapist; therefore I have enlisted the guidance of internationally known, bestselling book author, columnist, and speaker, Reverend Edie Weinstein MSW, LSW as one as my creative consultants. Based on her expertise, numerous blogs, interviews, and countless hours of working firsthand with clients, it is my fervent hope the reader will find that she adds credibility to the book.

In addition, I have called on renowned Relationship Coach, Certified Marriage Coach and Strategic Interventionist Jennifer Blankl to give this project even greater depth and more impactful tools for its readers. Both of them are well respected, intelligent women who would help round out my thoughts by adding the female perspective.

Some of the chapters are from blogs that I have written; they will add value, deeper meaning, and understanding to the whole of the book which will make sense when its messages are fully digested, pondered, and put into practice.

I will share my personal story of past failed relationships; what I learned and how it helped elevate me to finding the love of my life, my wife Michelle.

For me, I liken the death of someone I loved, a dear friend or cherished pet to a tender relationship that was lost. Pain is pain. Some hurt more than others. One must grieve in their way and time if one is to come to terms with it.

There are no specific, hard, and fast rules for how long it lasts. My thinking also tells me the depth of the relationship will act as the barometer of the duration of your pain.

Additionally, I have added wonderful thoughts from focus groups; their practical ideas about successful relationships replete with ways to implement them should they resonate with you, as well as pertinent things to be aware of.

In closing, regardless of the reason, may this book be of service, whether you picked it up to get some suggestions on how to create that dream relationship you've desired, perhaps the title intrigued you, or you picked it up out of curiosity. Maybe you already have a good relationship and are simply looking for ideas to help keep it fresh.

In the chapters ahead the thoughts shared are beneficial in any type of relationship, especially the one with yourself. Being amenable to new ideas opens the door to possibilities. Even if you completely disagree with some of the premises put forth, that's good. It means you know yourself. You WIN!

Although I am a heterosexual, cis-gender man who is sharing his own journey, everything offered in this book is applicable to individuals and couples of any gender presentation or sexual orientation.

Please join me now on your journey to creating the relationship you've been dreaming about.

Much love and warmth,

Thomas E Ziemann

Part One:

Living, Loving and Learning About Relationships

Chapter 1:

I Had a Dream

You alone are the judge of your worth and your goal is to discover infinite worth in yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks.

~Deepak Chopra

I had a dream, but not quite as iconic as the great Martin Luther King Jr's incredible speech. Certainly, Dr. King's mind-blowing talk will go down as one of the greatest demonstrations for freedom in the history of mankind.

Mine was of a dream relationship that had always eluded me. One where I could be 100% myself and still be accepted by my mate. A relationship that made me feel alive long after the initial sexual attraction and urges had passed. One that would make me get up in the morning and long to spend time with my love. One that reminded me of a cheesy Hallmark movie where my beautiful lady would swoon over me and make me feel like a real man, without having to prove it to anyone. One who would appreciate my sensitive, well in-tune emotional side. One where I would be cherished and loved just because. Cared for and nurtured. One in which I could speak my mind without having to worry I would hurt her feelings or be misunderstood. One that I wouldn't be embarrassed about being with, that I could take home to Mother. One that would help me grow emotionally and never call me out in front of others when I screwed up or bring my past shortcomings up when I irritated her, or we were in a spat. A classy, smart, funny, beautiful, spiritually minded, politically Liberal, nonjudgmental, animal lover who would also love my cats and would get along with both of my grown daughters. Not perfect, but perfect for me. One who could handle my INTENSITY, anger issues, perfectionistic, A.D.H.D idiosyncrasies, OCD inclinations, to mention but a few of my characteristics.

Tall order right? I'll bet some guys are gagging right now.

Well, after many years of failed, lackluster relationships, and working on myself, I eventually found The One.

The main point is that it would have never happened had I not done the inner work. Rather than worrying daily about finding her, I had to focus on becoming the right person. To become my own best friend. Comfortable spending time with just me. To love myself, more than anyone else. I am guessing some reading that sentence will cringe.

I am not referring to a narcissistic self-absorption. More of a full acceptance of who I was, what I have become, and who I would strive to be.

Of course, the secret was getting to know who I was and accepting myself completely and being willing to pay the price. Going for what I genuinely wanted to be was what needed to happen. Don't kid yourself and think all this is easy. Quality relationships rarely happen without effort on our part. They take time to create, however, the payoff can be huge!

In the chapters ahead, I will share how it happened for me and many others so that you too can rub your inner magic lamp and create a magical relationship if that's your goal.

Believing that you are worthy of such an exalted and esteemed relationship is crucial to your success. Being 100% committed to the belief that you have a right like anyone else to experience a dream relationship is the oil that lubricates the gears of possibilities.

Once you have that mastered, working on all your issues will help bring your mate into your life. A bonus is that you will be maturing emotionally and spiritually along your path.

You must be willing to see yourself in an unflattering light without judgment, only acknowledging you had these tendencies and you're working to alleviate them. Next step is to be willing to fail, as you put yourself out there. Making the effort to meet someone takes time. Being proactive and patient is crucial.

Taking the chance on relationships you initially thought you would never get or felt worthy of before. Let your future mate decide that.

Don't try to attempt to commit all the ideas mentioned here to memory. Every suggestion will be shared in much greater detail as the chapters unfold.

While most of the chapters and sections are short, they boast some of the finest beneficial, practical, and heartfelt ideas I have found thus far. We are an extremely time-poor society; we want immediate results. It was my purpose to keep this book simple and to the point, so that the reader can put the ideas to practical use in their daily lives.

What dreams have you had about your ‘ideal’ relationship?

Does it feel attainable rather than only being part of a fantasy?

Are you ready to turn the page and write your own story?

Chapter 2:

Reality

Our destiny is not written for us, but by us.

~Barack Obama

During my adolescent years I hadn't had much success with any type of meaningful relationships or deep friendships. I hated myself. My issues were many; I had low self-esteem, seen as the neighborhood pussy that got his lily-white ass kicked regularly until the 9th grade. My relationship with both my parents was dysfunctional.

Truth be told, my parents had a relationship of convenience; any romance they may have once shared fizzled out long before I was old enough to understand what a loving relationship meant. They weren't even friends. Mutual tolerance was the closest thing to being buddies they shared. I cannot fathom being married to or involved with someone who wasn't also a great friend. 

My mother stayed home and took care of the house, while my father brought in the money. Sadly, I cannot remember a single kind gesture by either or any romantic exchanges. Not once did I ever see them kiss, hold hands, leave nice notes for each other or do anything together other than bowl on a league the same night and come watch me compete at swim meets. Sure we had family outings; occasional picnics and a few family vacations were the extent of their spending time together. Neither had developed any deep friendships outside their dismal, lackluster, loveless marriage. 

Chivalry wasn't a concept my father had vaguely a clue about. Not once did he bring home flowers, hold the door for her, or even compliment my mother. They didn't sleep in the same room either. 

This was a wakeup call for me. I vowed I would be different.

While I did have some girl friends through High School, nothing came of it. Kissing and heavy petting for sure, but no real connections. To make matters worse, I was a big mouth know-it- all which didn't help me in the popular realm. I was my own worst enemy. No one likes a braggart. Plus, I sucked at most sports.

All during school, I witnessed what I perceived to be meaningful relationships. Most kids appeared to have quality family lives and connected with their siblings and parents.

I knew something was missing. In between classes, I saw the entire handholding, note passing, and walking arm in arm in school routine between those high school sweethearts who seemed to love each other. Not to mention the school dances and roller-skating parties that I missed out on. I was the wallflower. Nobody gave me the time of day, and when they did, I pushed them away with my ego, intensity, and weirdness. I thought that anybody who'd wanna be with me must be a loser. I felt like a dismal