Are there good relationships without settling? Yes.

Are there good relationships without compromise? No.

Every relationship is made up of settling in a way. You just need to know when to draw the line. And both people need to be willing to work to keep it alive and thriving.

Seems there are certain commonalities all relationships share, yeah.

"Settling": If you mean settling for someone who is less than what you really desire, yeah there are relationships without settling. If you mean settling as in getting comfortable, it tends to happen over time. We both have to shake each other and ourselves up every now and then, by trying different things in and out of the bedroom, maintaining a sense of adventure, go on trips, do physical things, watch and discuss the latest movies, sports, politics, anything to keep conversation going and interesting, don't get too complacent in domestic living.

Don't settle for less... If you want a man that can hold a conversation, make sure he is educated, not a high school drop out. But if he has all the qualities and lives 2 hours away from you, you both can move an hour closer to each other.
Make a list of what you want in a relationship, what are deal breakers.. Stick to it or you will be right back where you started

Define in words, paint a verbal vision, of what you feel a "good" relationship is: Being loving, soothing, supportive, enjoying lovingly honest, non-condemning communication, feeling free to express yourself in every way, including sexually, describing what you find attractive in a mate as well as what you find attractive in yourself. I find it's important to overlook what I feel is my own negative crap. Then I'll be much more willing to overlook what I feel is the other person's negative crap, in the interest of instead being loving and soothing.

I have a sense of how I like to be and that is soft, sweet and sexy, creating a sort of fascinating "inner life". Now it's just a matter of making the time, tuning out the rest of the world and prioritizing another person, finding another person I WANT to prioritize, to get into that head and heart-space on a regular basis with as often as possible.

"I'm coming out of a divorce of 15 years...I've only had one real relationship. I worked hard at it and on me.": Are you RECENTLY divorced, coming out of a 15-year MARRIAGE? Or have you been DIVORCED for 15 years? And was that "one real relationship" the marriage you were in? Just curious.

Yes, in the divorce process...submitting the required paperwork. I was married for 15 years, the relationship had many "stages." I've recently been working to accept and recover, though now I am more at acceptance.

From reading what you posted, it sounds like you want to portray yourself a certain way. is that really how you are or is that how you want to be seen?

To put your comments into action, I suppose I like the idea of being "equal partners" or "mutually accepted." A form of companionship with trust.

It's how I LIKE to be. Due to financial and work stress, it's not always how I am. Sometimes I'm required to be a hard-ass. I like "equal partners" and "mutually accepted" very much. That sounds really good.

No I don't think all relationships are the same at all.

I have been in some really crappy ones were the man actually abused me. (I was young and dumb).
I have been in some that were very kind and loving.

Nope not the same at all.

I'm with Onetoomany, and I'll go a step further to say, no two relationships are the same.

Relationships are all about compromise, just as JoleneLS points out. No ability to compromise equals no ability for relationships, and this applies to all types, especially friendships.

The mind thought of settling, to me, is derogatory and destructive, like you didn't get your way, anger and revenge plays in. Whereas compromise is a selfless and noble mindset, being the bigger person, and allowing someone else to get their way, trusting that you'll get yours soon enough, and no biggie if you don't this time around.

Both parties must be playing on the same board, and attempts at shortcuts and hoarding, do not pass go, and do not collect $200.

Thanks for telling me relationships are not the same. I needed to hear it.

My ex partner and I never built a history of working through conflict, validating each others perspective or compromising to middle ground. Instead issues would not be addressed and would to continue until one of us would completely forgo our own position or feelings.