Too often we expect happiness to come as a result of our relationships rather than as a premise upon which to build one.  If we truly wanted to be happy, we would not be so eager to sacrifice happiness for nonsense -- jealousy, possessiveness, anger, fear or any other function of the ego.  Nonsense renders us downright miserable.  Happiness requires that we be honest, trusting, trustworthy, respectful and mutually considerate.  We cannot realize true happiness when we entertain nonsense in our hearts and minds.  Individually and collectively, we must work to clear ourselves before entering a relationship.  If we wait until we are in the process and wading through the nonsense, the ego will be well on the way to eroding the happiness we seek.

- Iyanla Vanzant