Ask the Therapist - Questions of the month!


From: Susan
Subject: Selecting a Mate?
 
I am thinking about getting married soon. What should I do before I get married?
 
Susan, marriage is a serious step in one's life. Take a good look at what both of you want in a committed relationship. Try visioning what the relationship and what you will be like in one year, five years, and ten years. Have your mate do the same. Then compare visions. What part of your visions do you share and what part do you not share. This will trigger some interesting discussions about "who you are", "who your mate is" and how you both want to grow together. I also strongly recommend you seek a good pre-marriage therapist that can help both of you make sure this marriage is right for you. An ounce of prevention "now" is inexpensive, compared to a costly (both emotional and financial) divorce later.
 
Good luck
Jackie

From: Don
Subject: Relationship
 
I am so heartbroken that I can hardly write this. My dear soulmate just ended our affair-relationship of 3 yrs. She could not wait for me any longer to divorce my wife and marry her, it was destroying her health and her spirit (mine too, and my wife's). I love my soulmate more than my life or my wife, but I just could not desert (dump) my wife. I tried for 2 yrs to leave her, but I just couldn't. I love her too, in many ways, but not like my soulmate. The thought of not being together with my soulmate ever again is almost unbearable. You must know the complications and hurting that results from adultery. I can't understand why God did not let
me and my soulmate meet and marry when we were single and free. I believe that when soulmates meet they cannot help loving each other to the depth of their souls with all their being. I feel I will die without her, Life has no more meaning and their is no future. Please, if you will, help me get through this, I know you have the wisdom to help me.

Don, I can feel your pain that you are expressing when I read your email. It must be a terrible time for you right now.
 
I am confused about your statement "She could not wait for me any longer to divorce my wife". A true soul mate would not make such a demand. A soul mate would support "you" in your time of trouble and not demand you ignore your feelings of responsibility you have for you present wife. A true soul mate would wait several lifetimes to be with you.
 
Adultery is an ethical law based on institutional beliefs. The conflict you are experiencing may be between what is in your heart and what is an institution law telling you "should" do. Institutional laws written by blessed men are guides for your life. But, remember that your faith comes from within you, not from the outside world. God is within you; you just need to listen. You sound like you are confused about what your mind is telling you and what your heart want you to do. You are struggling with the question of do what your mind is telling you, "live what you have learned" or what your heart is saying to do "learn by living." Your answer to happiness will come when you bring these two parts of you together so they are congruent.
 
The meaning of life is more then being in love with one person. It is being in love with life and sharing all you are with everyone you know and meet. You have opened your heart to this women, open it to all people. Look inside yourself and see your uniqueness that you can share with everyone and anyone.
I hear you saying you have deep feeling for this woman. However, if she is your soul mate, your spirit energies will never be apart from hers even if you are not together in body. You are very fortunate to have met such a person. Most people go through life never meeting such a person with whom they can "love to the depths of their souls." You have truly been blessed. Cherish your blessing and move on with your life.
 
I hope I was helpful.
Jackie


 
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