The One

Do you believe in "The One"? Do you think that there is only just one other person in the entire world?

Maybe you've heard of Plato's Symposium where he has Aristophanes tell a story about soulmates. In this story, he states that humans (of three genders, male-male, female-female, female-male (androgyny)) were originally two humans (that we know now) joined together by their backs. These humans tried to overtake Zeus and the other Gods and failed; as punishment, the gods split the humans in half and the navel was left as a scar to remind the humans to never try to defy the gods again. And if they did try again, Zeus would split them up one more time; luckily, we haven't hit that point yet. Are we literally searching for our other halves in order to complete our souls?

Prior to the last few years, I was confident I would find "The One". This person would complete my life in every single way. It would be the best time ever. But as I continued to develop as a person, I realized that it's highly unlikely I'll meet one person in the world with the population over 7 billion people that is meant for me. I haven't come close to being in a state of romantic love where I felt that everything was perfect. Yes, I have had my affectionate moments and they are not without their significance in my life. But I still hold out for the possibility that there is something more.

Shouldn't I be in complete awe of this other person? Shouldn't I want to have to say this person is the best person in the world without having any doubts? This love thing is suppose to inspire me to write a Hollywood script! Maybe I should just be looking for someone that can handle me for long periods of time... (I think this is my parents' view)

Naturally being (slightly) selfish, at one time, I felt I could make a relationship work with any female if I put enough effort into it. It's truly narcissistic of me to even consider that, as a relationship is the responsibility of two (or more) beings.

Having no to very little true experience with romantic relationships, I have gathered all my knowledge about them through observation. It's unavoidable seeing or hearing relationship advice, "Do this, don't do that"; of course, most of them are obvious and there's always disbelief anyone would do something so stupid. I try to understand the sacrifices that people in relationships make for their significant other. One example is how couples tend to call it night earlier than the single people (or stop hanging out with friends completely); I guess relationships do really take a toll. But seriously, I look at relationships that I admire to determine what attributes to great relationships.

Luckily, I have had discussions with multiple people of varying perspectives on the matter. So what have I concluded? Besides the extremely ideologies of those around me? All of it is confusing. But there are similar underlying compositions of them all. Respect. Responsibility. Passion. Effort.