Soul Mating

I've heard this term a lot lately, soul mates. And it really got me thinking about it and what it means to me. So, where better to explain my thoughts and opinion than on a public forum for the world to see, right?

Dictionary.com's definition is this:

a person with whom one has a strong affinity, shared values and tastes, and often a romantic bond

 In the dialogue The Symposium, Aristrophanes explains that humans originally had 4 arms, 4 legs, and a single head made of two faces. Zeus feared their power and split them in half, condemning them to spend their lives searching for the other half to complete them.

And lastly, Urban Dictionary. Now, usually Urban Dictionary is pretty foul and rancid with some very weird definitions of stuff. This however says what I think most people would agree with:

A person with whom you have an immediate connection the moment you meet -- a connection so strong that you are drawn to them in a way you have never experienced before. As this connection develops over time, you experience a love so deep, strong and complex, that you begin to doubt that you have ever truly loved anyone prior. Your soulmate understands and connects with you in every way and on every level, which brings a sense of peace, calmness and happiness when you are around them. And when you are not around them, you are all that much more aware of the harshness of life, and how bonding with another person in this way is the most significant and satisfying thing you will experience in your lifetime. You are also all that much aware of the beauty in life, because you have been given a great gift and will always be thankful.

I on the other hand, don't buy into it. It all seems a bit too sappy, even for me. The Disney-esque fairy tail is a total fantasy theory. I'm gonna stop here a second. I want to explain, before I continue on, that this entry might come across jaded or bitter. That is NOT my intention at all. I'm not bitter about love, or jaded by anyone. I've felt love, and experienced it. So again, I'm not trying or aiming at being jaded or bitter in any of this. It's just my thought process on the matter.

I believe that "soul mates" can happen with almost anyone. What I believe is really happening is the excitement of dating someone you genuinely find interest in on a mental and physical level. As you get to know them, you start growing butterflies in your stomach. Gross, right? The excitement, and anxiousness of hearing from them, seeing them, talking to them, completely engrosses you're whole being. AND, if you're lucky, they are feeling the same way. THAT is what I think most people perceive as meeting your soul mate. It's called the honeymoon stage of dating, I think. The real fun begins when that's over and your head comes back out of the clouds. The effort and work two people put into a relationship is what's important.
Soul Mates don't just click and never have a problem.  That would be unbelievable.

Dang it. I just argued myself out of a belief that I had. It's almost like the facts are stronger in the favor of soul mates existing than not.

When I write, I'm thinking about 4 sentences ahead of what I'm actually typing. Which can be very frustrating because my fingers can only record the brain activity so quickly. What I had done, without actually writing it, was inadvertently change the belief I had in my head.  There are strong examples in my life of specific couples who met, and just immediately clicked. Sure there were a very small handful of incidences where they had a small argument or tiff, but nothing that understanding and communication couldn't fix. Actually, screw that. I still don't buy this 'soul mate' gimmick.

 Love is a feeling that is unique to each individual. You can love lots of things, (I love lamp). But the real true love that happens is on the emotional level. The emotional level is, in my opinion, one of the strongest levels one can feel on, because, uh, it's your feelings?? Emotions are an open invitation to vulnerability. Being physical (hugs, kisses, sex, ect), or being understanding of the mentality and opinions/habits that the other has, is great. Those are very important 'levels' to be in love at. But the true level is emotional.

I don't believe that there is just ONE person out there that when you meet you just totally lose your oxygen from. I can't believe that. That just sounds ridiculous. I mean, if that had happened to me, than what had I experienced before prior to that? A really strong like towards someone? That sounds retarded. I know what love is, I've shown it, and had it shown to me in the past. It's incredible. But a soul mate? Someone who just gets you and loves you right away, regardless of anything else? Someone you just immediately click with and just lock eyes and just fall flat on your face stupid head over butt over? Come'on. Really? I mean... REALLY? Psh... that just sounds like some crazy gimmicky cheesy storyline that comes apparently in almost every classic 'Chick Flick', or 'Romance' story. The odds are incredibly and severely low on that actually happening.

I think what's really happening is just a unique and awesome level of understanding. Not to mention that both parties are most likely already fully aware of themselves (faults and all) and are fully aware of exactly what they are looking for. When those two factors are operating at full strength, then sure, boom! Love happens and people live happily ever somewhere.

Again, this might have come across bitter, it's not. I'm just skeptic of that actually existing. If I'm wrong, I'll admit it. I'm just sayin'. That's all.