"When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew."

Those of you who know me in depth know that I absolutely adore Shakespeare. Maybe to some of you this is news, but today I found myself being constantly reminded of that horrible, confusing, maddening, mind-boggling, wonderful thing called love. I'm not sure why...but I just constantly found myself thinking about it. No, I was not thinking of a certain male or anything, but just of love in general. I find that many of my peers have very immature views on love, not that mine are any better. I think I know what I should feel about love, but I think sometimes, most of the time, I stray from that knowledge. One thing I also found odd is that for every incident today, I thought of a Shakespearian quote.

"Love sought is good, but love unsought is better."
My friends are always preying upon those unfortunate souls within our group that are single. Not in a bad way, but in the sense that they are always finding the single ones dates or "fixing them up." My friend whom I act with was set up on a blind date by her friend. Her friend and her boyfriend would accompany them on a double date. Well, long story short, the blind date and my friend both got the numbers of the seating hostess and the waitor.

"They do not love that do not show their love."
I do agree with Shakespeare on this one. However, I also believe there are limits to what they call "PDAs" or public displays of affection. I happen to have two friends who have been dating for almost two years. That is very sweet, yes, but the fact that they are constantly all over each other in public, AND the fact that they have completely withdrawn from all of their friends, completely engulfed in each other, is simply nauseating. I would be lying if I said it didn't actually enfuriate me. What happens if they break up? they will no longer have any friends. I fear that the point will come when they stay together BECAUSE they don't have anyone else.

"The course of love did never run smooth."
Ah yes. Very true indeed. My friend has a problem with this. God love her, she has the right intensions, but something always ends up ripping her relationships apart. She dones't know what she's doing wrong. I don't mean to sound bid-headed, but I usually have good advice for people. This girl however, I can't come to a diagnosis. I maintain that it's not her fault...but why is she so unlucky in her choices of guys?


"Love comforteth like sunshine after rain."
I have a friend in my youth group who recently had a death in the family. A close relative...very beloved indeed. That is an awful thing. That was several months ago. She has been getting better and she has recently begun to date her best guy friend. He was with her and there for her through the whole experience. How sweet, loyal, and patient he was to be there. I guess they just fell in love.

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind. Therefore the winged Cupid is painted blind."
I must admit I feel blind sometimes. With all these stories my friends have, some happy some not, I feel as though I cannot figure this complex love out. Yes, I'm aware no one has yet, not even Shakespeare. But there are times when I think it's simple and I've got it figured out and then something happens that completely changes my mind. I think of all my friends, I am the most screwed up. I believe it is me who has the most problems...Maybe I'm just completely ridiculous and immature in my views on love, or maybe that's just it. Maybe I should just be content with not knowing what it is or how to find it. That's very scary though...to not know what to look for and then when you think you find it, theres always that voice in your mind that says "what if this isn't real?" Maybe when I DO find love that voice won't be there...or maybe that's juts my immaturity sinking through...maybe I just need to get over those thoughts and go with the flow anyway...maybe it's even Satan? Who knows! I know I don't. I hope I figure it out...

If not, I guess that's just the way it's supposed to be.

I do have one last question though...was shakespeare really this knowledgable about love or was he just making this stuff up as he went along to torture poor, curious minds like mine???