True Love...

How do you know true love?

True love is rare. It comes to few; yet it is what we all hope to find. It often develops over time; sometimes felt from the first moment. It is hard to define but when you have it you know it. Or do you?

 Does it take being apart to make one realize that what they had was true love? Does the reality of missing that person set in all at once or does it happen gradually? Why is it the one that we can't live with becomes the one we can't live without?

Can you find true love in the same person after they walked out? Did it take them walking out to realize what they had? Did it take them not being there for you to want them back even more?

The heart is fragile. Yet we continue to allow it to be broken over and over. Each time vowing this will be the last. Should our hearts have a "FRAGILE" label? Should we announce to all--my heart has been broken--handle with care?

Maybe we like the pain? If we didn't, why would we allow it to happen again? Do we allow ourselves to be hurt because we enjoy the pain? Is it the hope that this will be the last time and our hearts will heal?

How do you heal a heart? Can the emptiness be replaced? Can we allow it to be open to the possibility of another heart break? What is the healing time?

One last question, Can I trust you with my heart?

Lesson Learned: I didn't know I needed you until I didn't have you to need!

Labels...

The world is filled with labels--food, clothing, cars, televisions, cigarettes...
The obvious labels are intended to inform, warn and brand. We label PEOPLE in the same manner.

The informational label goes something like this--You know, "She's the one that works for..." or "Her husband is..." and "He/She is ___ of company _____." We use these labels as if we are informing others that they should know the contents within the person. Just like a can of soup.

The warning label--like on a pack of cigarettes --"He's a player." and "She's high maintanence."  or as Carrie Underwood sings in Cowboy Casanova...you better take it from me...that boy is like a disease..he's like a curse he's like a drug...The big WARNING label!

The branding label--Calvin Klein, Lee, BMW, Lincoln, RCA --in some way translates into the financial status of the wearer or owner; or lack there of. One of my favorite is, "Champaigne taste on a beer budget."

Labeling places a preconceived notion in our mind of how we expect the individual to behave, look, emulate, or expectations that come with the label.

In the healthcare field we label those we care for innocently...the hip in room...the new leukemic...they do have birth names but some how their medical admission takes on their identity.

I'm trying to learn to just take people at face value. Learn to know them for the person they are and not the expectation that we place on them or they place on themselves.

I was reminded that I hadn't truly broken the habit of labeling -- I was out with someone that I met about a month or so ago. We have been out a few times, talk often, and seem to enjoy each others company (We haven't caused bodily harm to each other.) I asked the question, "What are we?"

I expected the usual response friends, girlfriend/boyfriend, friends with benefits, lovers...another label. I did not expect what I interpreted in the conversation.  There was no label. No pressure or expectation to live up to. No demands. Stated simply, "We Are"

Lesson Learned: Labels are meant for items not people.