[happy_doughnut]

God, I can't breathe. I have this strip on my nose... *mena detracts fro reason.

Ah, it seems I started something and just kinda, left it there. Sounds just like me.

Anyway, there's so much that was said that I agree with! Quoting everything would be too hard, though, so I'll just give it a go without the quotes.

First off, let me say that I do believe in love. I believe that someday everyone will find someone that complements that person. Like Spank said, as human being, we have this insatiable want to be with another person. I think that as human beings, we are incomplete, no matter how strong or dependent you may be. If we were complete, then we would be perfect, and I believe that everyone here can agree to the idea that perfect we certainly are not. Now, because we are incomplete, it is our human nature, whether obvious or subtle, to find this something that will complete us - that something that will fill our holes and our gaps. Some may say this is weak, but I disagree. You are not looking for someone else because you can't take care of yourself, but rather to fulfil that human desire to have a whole.

What does this mean, exactly? It means that, as meryl likes to say, some people "fit" and others don't. Why do you think there are so many break-ups? Because not everyone goes with one another. However, once we find this other person that, whether we like to admit it or not, makes us feel complete, we will be happy. As humans, we have needs, wants and desires. On a physical level, we do need that caress every now and then. We do need that occasional hug. On a sentimental level, we do need those encouraging words every now and then. We do need that shoulder to lean on when we can't do it alone. We do.

This is not being weak. It is merely being human. It is true that some people can fend more for themselves than others. These people are more emotionally detached and thus can afford to be alone for longer bouts of time without it dawning on them. However, it is impossible to such a person to be alone forever and not feel the pain loneliness harbors. Furthermore, there is not a single person on this earth that can "do it all alone." Even if one thinks oneself to be the most independent person in the world, we still need someone at one point in our lives or another.

However, like meryl said, patience is a virtue and good things do come to those who wait. Love is something that, I think, everyone ought to have the chance to experience. Once you have found the real thing, and not a fake, then you will know and you will love it. You will love love, even with all the heart-aches it brings.

The problem is that much of say, the youth, of today is desperate to find it. Love is something that comes when the times is right, not when you want it to. Like a good friend, real love is hard to find. Many youths confuse love with lust, thinking that because they have some sort of attraction to and fro, it must, therefore, be love. This is comepletely false. One must never confuse lust with love; they are two different entities - one that satisfies the human senses and another that satifies the heart.

Nowadays, it is easy to say that you love someone. I know we hear it being said on a day to day basis. Love, as a word, has lost all magical meaning. It is not longer a word voiced by someone with loving feelings to another. Now it is used as an excuse.

I know the pains of caring for someone and not having them care for you in return. As humans, I think, we have all felt this at one time or another and if you haven't - you will. However, like meryl, I don't tear myself up because of this. I think that more than anything, love is serendipitous. One doesn't usually "find" love - we stumble upon it. We can't say, "I want love!" and have it come to us. It alone will determine when and who it will bring along.

So you have aching feelings because you aren't with the one you love? Get over it. Move on. Really. They are not the one for you because if they were, then they would be with you. And do you know why you haven't found love? Because you're stuck "loving" someone that doesn't love you in return and as a result you have shut yourself from possibilities. You are blinded by this thing that is not yours and by the want to have it, that you lose vision of anything else. If one lives like this - chasing after the stars that belong to someone else, then you will never find your own because it may well pass you by... and you know what? You didn't even notice.

I'm sorry if this sounds cold, but it's the truth. So he/she doesn't feel the same way for you? Forget it. He/she is not the only person in the world. Realize, understand, admit to yourself that they do not feel the same way. Take time to heal and then love yourself. Once you learn to care for yourself, you will realize that you actually understand yourself and once your understand yourself, you will know who you are and what you want. Once you know this, then you will find someone because, like meryl said, how can you know what to look for if you don't even know the one that's looking? It's nonsensical at best.

Love exists, everybody. It is out there somewhere. Where? It is in distinct places for everyone. You just need be patient and let it come to you. This is not to say you sit around doing nothing. No. Go out, meet people... broaden your horizons and while you're doing that, you'll see that love will come and meet you half way.

If you love someone, show it - don't assume they "know." If you still haven't found someone, rest assured that you will. Is there someone for everyone? Yes. Will everyone always find it? No.

Just remember that love is not a mere feeling - it is a feeling that once you've experienced, you will never forget.

Look at this way: According to Biblical scriptures, God created Eve out of one of Adam's ribs. As a man, you are adam and you are looking for your "rib" - the female. But you see - not every rib will "fit." Some will be painful, some will fall out and some will simply not fit at all. When you find a rib that doesn't feel fully comfortable, then it is because it is not your rib - it is someone else's. That rib doesn't belong to you and no matter how much you want it, it does not fit you because it is not yours.

There is a rib for every male, and there is a male for every rib.