The other side, be it political or relational, isn't remaining neutral, so if you choose to remain so, you will eventually be overrun by the opposition.
It's not always a matter of missing the red flags. Sometimes we tend to listen to our hearts instead of our heads or our gut instinct. Sometimes what we want or think we want far out weighs the reality of the situation, so we ignore the flags because we don't want to see them. Eventually, hopefully, we get beyond that and deal with the reality of the situation.
As a rule, what might have been is harder to get over because what might have been is usually only a fantasy created in your own mind anyway. It is very hard to get over the "perfect" person, even if that person really only existed in our own minds.
Sounds like Earl got a little too much sun. He walked out into oncoming traffic? How would you have felt if Earl had gotten run over while trying to keep a turtle from the same fate?
Actually, I am headed up north for the weekend. I am what is considered a damn yankee. Moved south and stayed. I'm sure that you will keep him busy enough so that he stays out of trouble with the law anyway.
Thanks. Just my opinion, but if they change, I would suspect a game being played or they are trying to hide the real them. Unfortunately, there is no "formula" for telling or making sure. Just have to take the chance and hope for the best.
You won't know right off the bat if that person is the one. That takes time. Also, I don't believe that there is any one thing that you will be able to put your finger on. I believe that it is all the little things about a person that will let you know if they are the one or not.
RE: The Stand...or...The Right Thing
The other side, be it political or relational, isn't remaining neutral, so if you choose to remain so, you will eventually be overrun by the opposition.