Relationships….

Interesting.  I was talking to a friend the other day and she stated that she was interested more in men she liked, but could not love.  It seems this person had a history of failed relationships with men and came to the conclusion that if she only liked them, she would not become too attached.  This would theoretically save her the suffering associated with a terminal relationship.  I wonder if this is true?  I can't help wondering if she isn't selling herself short.  There was a song many years ago called "Georgie Girl", I believe by a group called the Seekers.  I remember that group well because I loved the lead female singer's voice.  Anyway, one verse goes "always window shopping, but never stopping to buy".  I wonder if this isn't a similar situation.  My friend wants to play at love, but not get her feet wet.  I personally believe you only get out of a relationship what you put in.  If input is tepid, is the return much different?  I guess this struck a chord with me because it is pretty much the antithesis of my perspective on love, and life.  I have always jumped headfirst, fearlessly, into the deep end.  It might never occur to me that I could not swim; I always had faith I would somehow survive.  Granted, this reckless behavior often lead to suffering and heartache, but I experienced the passion, the dance.  Is this wise?  Probably not.  But I experienced the full range of me.  Now, in my "senior" years, you might venture to guess that maybe I have learned my lesson.  Sadly (I guess?), this is not the case.  I still have a habit of making that leap into the pool.  Now, I am quite happy to discover that there is water in the pool!  I still love the feelings my body gives me, probably far more then I should.  But I believe I am here at this time occupying this physical form because there are lessons to be experienced that can only be realized in the carnal condition. Am I not foolish to set myself up for more suffering?  In many cases I would argue "yes, indeed"!  And in these cases I will try to avoid them as much as I possibly can.  But in the case of love, I am in all the way.  I might be over my head, and I might drown, but I will go down with the knowledge that I gave all to what my heart told me was special.  But then again, what do I know?