Relationships, eh?

I’ve come to understand that relationships, rather successful ones, are the single hardest part of life. To give someone your heart, soul and effort is something irreparable and partly divine. As such, there is a distinct difference in point of view and outlook between those of us whom have taken the plunge to immerse ourselves in a serious relationship and those of us who have not yet taken the ride. If you are still waiting to get on the roller coaster, you may not understand my point of view entirely.

Relationships are a roller coaster. There is fun, there is pain, there are arguments and there is love. They say there is no sweet without the bitter. But how much bitter is too bitter? What faults or wrongs must we accept? Which ones should we disregard? And most importantly, which ones should we take to heart?

There are all types of relationships out there, all complete with different styles and paradigms. Some couples live afar, others live close. Some engage in sexual activities, others don’t engage in any sort of activity. Some love affection in public, others don’t show any affection ever. Some concur on philosophical and political beliefs, others simply get along on a day to day basis. What makes each relationship better than the other? Does it even matter? Although, I personally don’t think it matters what type of relationship we lead, its effects and constraints on us can be rather grave.

It seems that in today’s colder, crueler world we cannot trust many people, sometimes not even our own significant others. Hollywood and its associated press — force feed us scandals, divorces and luscious affairs. What happens, or rather, what do we do when a loved one falters? We love them with all our heart and being. We adore them with all we got, but shit happens. And we get hurt. Nothing will always go as planned. Remember that. Optimism is always a good quality, but when does our optimism interfere with our reality? Should we be hopeful in each other? Or should we always expect the worst? Do low expectations resolve disappointments? Or do they just keep us from achieving better?

The bottom line is, if you feel like you don’t have control of your relationship, always remember that he who loves least, controls the relationship.

Adieu. Navid.