Barkingturtle wrote:
You know, I sure hope so. I am aware that my current perosnal stance on love and relationships is more than just a little bit self-fulfilling and cowardly, but it's safe and respectful of what we had together. Trouble is, I'm still so hung up on her, and it's not diminishing. I catch myself comparing every girl I date to her, sort of subconciously, and they can never fully measure up. I know I should just accept them for who they are, free of some self-imposed standard that is impossible to obtain and unfair to impose on what have been some very nice ladies, but that is so much easier in theory than practice.
I guess what it boils down to is my belief that unlike ****, I only have so much love to share, and once I give it away I can never get it back.
It's really not so much unlike the fear that one child parents have that they couldn't possibly love another as much as they love the child they have already...and that they'll be taking some love away from the first to give to the second should they choose to have another. It just doesn't work that way.
I hear what you're saying though, and certainly not advocating that you jump into any relationship you're not ready for. I'm just saying that you should allow yourself to be open to the idea that there are, and pardon me for saying this, other fish in the sea. And while you should certainly accept people for who they are, that doesn't mean settling...you're not doing them any favors (I've made that mistake too many times, and they always know on some level and resent you for it). You'll meet someone some day though, and she'll be different and not comparable to the girl you loved and you'll love her in a different way and appreciate the newness she offers and the way she compliments your personality and it will just be something entirely unfelt before. Maybe it'll sweep you off your feet or maybe it will just be a slowly growing realization, but it will be good and you'll be happy again. You'll see.
On that note, no matter the hurt caused, I've never regretted loving someone. I think loving other people does more for me than them loving me by a long shot. It's like Christmas presents, I get more from giving them than getting them. Of course, it's nice to have it go both ways.
Nexa