Sole Mates, Part Deux

My previous posting on soulmates discussed the theory of romantic counterparts. I got to thinking as I spoke with a friend and colleague. Must all soulmates be amourous in nature? Can friends and acquaintances fall into this category?

Throughout life's experiences, we form connections and relationships with a myriad of people. We have childhood friends, school chums, college pals, coworkers, neighbors. As adults, we may meet people in a class or volunteering. As parents, we befriend the parents of our children's friends, classmates, soccer team members. Most of these relationships are formed because of proximity.

Alternatively, if we are open to new relationships, we may meet people in a more random fashion, in line at Trader Joe's, at a political function, maybe in a movie theater or on Facebook. My 12 year old daughter tells about meeting a girl at a slumber party, chatting till the wee hours. While she may never see this girl again, their encounter has made an impact on her life. Occasionally, these connections by chance lead us to new places.

In an earlier post, I quoted from Nicholas Sparks' "Nights on Rodanthe." A soulmate is "one that gives you the courage to be better than you are, not less than you are..." Unbelievably, if we are open to the idea, someone we meet once in a waiting room might change our lives. Sometimes, we pursue short-lived relationships with these people. I once met a transplanted New Yorker and actor in a movie theatre near UCLA. At the time, I worked in casting. We became fast friends.

I have met friends in writing seminars, at fundraisers, in carpools. Some of these chance encounters have changed my life. I believe everything happens for a reason. While searching for quotes, I found a passage from Bella Online, edited by Paula Grant-LeClaire.


Everything Happens for a Reason
(Author Unknown)

Sometimes people come into your life
and you know right away that they were meant to be there,
they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson
or help figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be;
your roommate, your neighbor, professor, long lost friend, lover
or even a complete stranger who, when you lock eyes with them,
you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

I could not have said this better myself. When we are open to the possibility, we befriend and meet angels or soulmates throughout our journey. As we reach crossroads in life, these guides may reacquaint us with who we truly are or may help us decide our futures.