Visiting with a friend recently saw the discussion of how our love for others is often misinterpreted. Both of us share the same experience of being very open and loving of other people as we greet each day. Living in the heart of Vancouver's gay neighborhood we both get hit on by members of the same sex. As for the opposite sex, our experiences are slightly different as it pertains to the male / female experience; men generally hit on women. Nonetheless, even with our expressiveness towards everyone we are often confused with being interested romantically and men will hit on her, and in my case, women will extend invitations to me or they'll withdraw, thinking I'm hitting on them. In both of our cases, we're simply being who we are by expressing our genuine love for our fellow man or woman. During the conversation, she jokingly said, "I'm not into you that way." in response to the misunderstood men and women that respond to her genuine warmth. As I heard her say this, I heard a deeper truth for the both of us and she agreed. 'I'm into you' is an accurate statement for all people we meet. I'm very interested in people, what they do, who they are, how they feel, and what their experiences are. Both of us love to connect with people in a very real way. If something romantic is to come up, it isn't something that we need to force, it is something that would grow from an ongoing friendship. She agreed and we both agree that 'I'm into you' can still hold true for all people we meet. Starved for love is the feeling I get from people that latch on too quickly. Sex itself can be one thing but the real root issue, for me anyway, is that experience of love seems to be a real confusing mess for a lot of people. Continuing our discussion, we agreed that love begins with self, deep inside, offering a fullness that does not need filling from another. Experiencing this we are able to share love easily and freely without expectation and if and when something further develops, it develops from a place of already being full creating a more solid relationship of two individuals. Then it becomes a true partnership rather than a dependancy-based relationship. I'm into you. Let me and we can have fun with life, relationship, and love without expectation. Enjoying the moment and connection our experiences of life will deepen and the bonds of friendship will grow. Without the expectation the discovery of romance will also come as a surprise and joy from a place of equal partnership that can occur playfully and painlessly. That friendship already developed will only serve to deepen the experience of connection to more intimate levels with respect and love that has already been cultivated. Be into me, I'm into you. |
