Bittersweet Love

Love is an ongoing hot topic no matter what culture or ethnic group destiny and DNA has assigned you. It is easy to get tired of hearing about relationship issues as we are constantly exposed to happy and horrific tales of love in the virtual world and real life. Yet, some of us still hope to share love with someone who loves us in return.

Unfortunately, love does not screen out men and women who harbor bitterness from past relationships. Sometimes, the heart wants someone who does not know how to begin to heal or how to love again without lashing out.

The unfinished business of a bad relationship is passed on to the new love who becomes torn between decisions to work it out or walk away. Sometimes, embittered people may ask for more than can be given in an effort to feel secure from hurt in a new love. 

A bad marriage has left many with a bitterness only true love can conquer. Of course, there is triumphant love, but those inspiring stories of love have yet to convince some bitter hearts to open up and love again. Many people decide never to marry again.

They would rather risk being hurt in a relationship with no commitment to marriage than risk hurt in a marriage. Such is the rationale of a bitter heart. Love will always have risks.

Freedom to choose how to love and who to love has created interesting situations; however, the difficulty comes when you discover the one you love is brave enough to enjoy your company, but too fearful to commit to marriage. Understanding the reason for the fear and being patient with the process of healing can take you into years of bittersweet love.

Top Shelf Woman

It no longer amazes me there are still women who are caught up in mind games with men who make sport of life and love.  I imagine I looked like that to some woman who saw me headed in that direction when I was younger. I convinced myself to give the man a chance without screening for emotional, spiritual and financial maturity. Why should a man stop making sport of life and love when I was willing to sport myself?

As women, we get upset about men who do not respect us. We believe a man who reaches for us, wants to do what is best for us. It is easy to reach for what is on the bottom shelf. Yes, we do two snaps and a wave and declare we are no  where near the bottom shelf, but we tolerate men with low self-esteem who prey upon our wounded spirits to breathe life into their wounded egos.

In the sickness of low self-esteem, we believe these wounded men are better than we are because their strength to disrespect us is greater than our strength to respect ourselves. So, what is a woman to do? Set your standards on the top shelf of your heart and stop making yourself an easy target for men who aim to do you no good.