The myth of the "Soul Mate"
We hear it said frequently, don't we? "He's my soul mate," one coos. "I haven't yet found my soul mate," bemoans another.
So what does it mean? Presumably, the soul mate quest suggests that somewhere out there in the world waiting just for you, is the one and only person who can set your world on fire (figuratively speaking, of course. We will presume she's not an arsonist). This is, of course, utter nonsense!
We are supposed to be believe that out of 8 billion people on planet Earth, the one person who is your perfect match for all eternity just happens to be sitting acroos the aisle from you in your Psych 101 class? Do you know what the odds are of that? Assuming a class size of 23 students, the odds of that happening are one in 363 million. And this allegedly happens on a pretty regular basis, if these soul-mate devotees are to be believed. At that point, the odds become really impressive!
Jeesh! I can't even guess the winning number in a Pick-4 lotto scratch-off drawing! No, sorry. It's not true, as much as we might wish it to be. Love is elusive and inexplicable.... and more importantly, artificial. We can make ourselves believe in love if we want it badly enough, and even if we do, indeed, think we've found it, more times than not ends it culminates in divorce, or worse, in an unhappy, humorless life in which you stay together because of pride, the kids, culture, shame, or a dire financial situation. You found someone who can make you happy!? Bravo! Great for you! Just don't put too mystical a spin on it. Enjoy it!