Besides our need for food, water, warmth, and shelter, there is no desire so basic as our wish to have loving relationships with other people. In fact, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between good health and maintaining close relationships--and even just interacting in a positive way with other people. Infants deprived of relating to their mothers or other caretakers often fail to thrive, drawing in on themselves and beginning a downward spiral that can result in maladjustment, severe neuroses, and even death. Thus, finding and nurturing positive relationships is a key step we can take to ensure health and well-being. Paradoxically, however, doing so can also be one of the most difficult, complex, and frustrating human experiences. To make matters worse, many people have an unconscious (and erroneous) expectation that once they find their "perfect" mate, life with them will be...