Why Should You Open Yourself To Love
This is a guest post from Pas de Deux series contributor Travis Marsh
Love.
Frequently an elusive creature, love seems to be the emotional equivalent to Bigfoot; many people believe to have had encounters with it while many others question if it really even exists.
For those of you who are currently in love, or have been in love in the past, you know it is out there. For those of you who have not yet been in love, it might sound a bit mystical and maybe even a tad silly. But it is out there somewhere, roaming, waiting.
Wanting to be found.
It makes us think, feel, say and do funny stuff. Tows us through the spectrum of emotions. Can lead us to lifestyle changes, sacrifices and relocation. It has the power to make us feel things we have never felt before, things we didn’t even know.
Many people have experienced this at least once, other people, multiple times. But whether it has been once, twice, multiple times or even not at all, there seems to be a common reaction to the thought of love: it can be frightening.
Why is that?
Does love frighten people because it has fallen victim to humans’ tendency to over complicate things? To over-sensationalize? Or is it simply the age-old answer of opening yourself up to love also opens you up to be hurt?
It goes without saying no one wants to be hurt, and it is universal knowledge that love can be a treacherous path. It can lead to blissful happiness but it can also lead to nightmarish pain and suffering. Perhaps for many people, whether they have been in love or have not been in love, the potential gift just may not be worth the potential curse.
And I do not blame them.
Just like anything worth pursuing, there will be bumps and bruises along the way. Some worse than others. Not only does this seem unavoidable, but may also be a needed part of the journey.
Certain channels of research will tell you that you need to have ten relationships before you can find “the one”. Other research will tell you that the ideal age situation for a couple is the male being five years older than the female (possibly because females mature more rapidly than males). There is even some research that tells you not to read steamy romance novels or watch romantic comedies because they distort your concept of love.
Despite what people think about the L-word, love is not as elusive as it seems. Often times it is scarily simple.
You are either in love or you are not.
You either feel it or you don’t. When it really, truly comes down to it, there is no middle ground. If you listen to your gut, your head and your heart, you will know which side you fall on.
The trick is being open to it when it does come your way.
Like being hypnotized, you have to have an open mind and a willingness to let love happen. If you resist and tell yourself it will never happen (or that it isn’t real) then you have most likely sealed your own fate. Do not create inhibitors for yourself.
Look for it and let it happen.
Love can be found in unlikely places, at unlikely times, with unlikely people. It is often quite un-glamourous. It probably will not strike you like a bolt of lighting, or hit you like a ton of bricks.
It will likely start slow, subtle, and sneak up on you from the back of the page.
Photo Credit: Getty Images – Ron Levine
Pas de Deux Contributor – Travis Marsh
Travis W. Marsh is a Maine native who has a background in art, graphic design, photography, film production and broadcasting. Currently working in the world of corporate communications during the day, he is a writer by night. You can follow him on Twitter @traviswmarsh
Song: Buying Time – Great Big Sea
Did you know I have a private newsletter that goes out ONLY to subscribers? It offers stories of travel adventures, writing brilliance, links to great content around the internet and other crazy shaningans.
