All love relationships mirror our relationship with ourselves.  They ultimately reflect upon our relationship with the world around us---how we think others see us, what we believe we are worthy of. Our beliefs about relationships can even embody our thoughts about how we feel the universe nurtures and supports us.

The truth is a rewarding but complicated conundrum, which all humans confront throughout their lives, for we are surrounded by relationships from our first breath. They begin with out dependence upon our parents for our very existence,and continue as we grow through our friendships. They reach their perhaps most intense expression in the magickal, self-contained world of lovers.

In many ways, the ultimate expression of our connection to the world is to fall in love. Daring to love another brings us face to face with whatever is going on within ourselves, for better or for worse. Love can be viewed as the bravest act of all, for in order to be truly intimate, we must be honest in our vulnerabilities.  As we reveal our innermost selves to our beloved with all our imperfect glories, we are truly exposed in body and soul. 

Experienced authentically, love relationships offer the sweetest rewards and the thorniest challenges. They also present us with an unparalleled opportunity to gain awareness and wisdom.

Examining our preconceptions about love, the ways we yearn to connect with another, what we desire in a partner, is an act ofself-illumination. More importantly, it’s the one way to take personalresponsibility for our lives.

by Kris Waldherr