Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Have you ever seen a rose bush so lush and beautiful, you thought to yourself that the gardener must have a green thumb?

I certainly have. Well, a rose bush that is cared for can blossom to unmatched beauty.

Left unattended, however, they become limp and lifeless and eventually wither away.

Well, a relationship is like a rose bush. It needs to be nurtured and loved so it can stay alive and beautiful.

Another year has passed and whether you've been with your partner six months, one year, 10 years or even 50 years, the romance may have dwindled a little and love making may have become monotonous.

So as 2007 dawns on us, here are some helpful tips on how to love your partner, resolve conflicts and add a little spice to the bedroom.

Dr. Sidney McGill, noted sexologist, told Flair that the most important thing for couples to focus on is the positive things in their relationship.

"Try to encourage your partner and dwell on the positives not the negatives, and give your partner affirmation such as, 'I'd rather be with you than..." he explained.

Humour

He also suggested that couples need to find the humour in situations. "A cheerful heart is good medicine," "pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones," he quoted from the Book of Proverbs.

Here are some other suggestions:

When you get upset, walk away from the heat of the conversation so that the mental faculties can consider the problem and not how hurt you are.

Admit when you are wrong and shut up if you are right.

Learn to brainstorm alternatives to solve problems and use the best one. Always have a plan B.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Get out of your normal routine and do stuff together such as shopping, seeing a movie together and meeting up for lunch. For the more intimate moments, break out of the normal routine.

Take long showers or bubble baths together.

Give each other massages.

Purchase a sex manual and try new positions.

Be adventurous. Move lovemaking from the bed to other parts of the home such as the bathroom, the sofa and the kitchen.

Heighten anticipation by saying sweet little things to you partner that are sexual such as what you think of his/her lovemaking and that you can't wait to get home.

Surprise him/her with small gifts like chocolate, flowers, cookies, love notes, and jewellery. This will show your partner that you appreciate him/her.

Happy New Year! May your love bloom like beautiful roses.