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If You Were Alone in the Universe

If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth. ~ Mitsugi Saotome
These past two days, I've been thinking about people and relationships. Everybody wants to be needed and loved. Sometimes this desire deep within everyone manifests itself in destructive behavior. Often, people fulfill this longing by continuing relationships that will only serve to make them unhappy.

Why do we stick with relationships that are clearly no good? Why do we think we can change anyone who doesn’t even think they have a reason to change? Why do we keep trying, thinking it will get better? Why do we allow ourselves to be disrespected emotionally or physically?

The one reason is this: our view of ourselves. If someone disrespects you (and I’m not talking about minor conflicts that arise in any relationship – I’m talking about the overall core view/attitude that someone carries within), a decision has to be made. Too many times I see someone crying or disappointed over and over about how they’re been treated, neglected, devalued, etc. and then continues in the relationship because a spark of interest is later shown. The cycle continues over and over until someone moves on.

Now, bad relationships are a part of life. You can’t always know someone until you spend some time with them, and that is the purpose of dating. The sad part is when someone doesn’t learn from their experiences and continues in a bad relationship or continues to get involved in bad relationships.

It is important to bring God into the picture. People don’t believe this, but it’s true. From God is a true sense of love and this love, used as a model in our relationships with others, will only serve to help us learn to value ourselves. We cannot receive this pure love from anyone else, but we can come close to finding a true partner; one that we can trust through most things (Of course, as humans, we are not perfect and will make mistakes.), because the intent to respect and really love is there.

Sadly, I watch this circus of “love” unfold around me, and I wonder if she will ever learn? I hope so, I really do, because she deserves better.

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