The Heart is a Museum Love Notes Vol. 2
This week’s Love Note entry began with a Tiffany billboard, a silent sentinel in the Hudson Yards madness in New York City. While others rushed past, I was compelled to stop, to document the moment. Am I, against all expectations, a romantic? A question I never thought to really explore for myself. Love, for much of my life, felt like an ephemeral snowflake, beautiful but impossible to hold onto. Could it, perhaps, be more? Could it ignite a lasting joy within?
Love. The very word evokes a symphony of emotions, a kaleidoscope of sensations. It’s a force that defies logic, a current that sweeps us off our feet when we least expect it. Love is without definition. To articulate the depth of affection for a loved one would be akin to trying to capture the essence of a melody or the hue of starlight; love, like the universe, is a constellation of diverse stars, each with its own unique brilliance and twinkle.
Love, in its purest form, is a mystery, an unfolding story that defies our attempts to control or predict its course. It’s a dance, a delicate interplay of emotions, a journey of discovery and growth, one that every single human being on the planet experiences, for better or worse. And this, if only this, is that thing that binds us and connects us to one another.
And the most profound realization, I believe, is this: love is not a choice we make, but a destiny that chooses us, arriving on its own terms and timeframes. For when love is coerced, it lacks the organic flow, the natural fit of genuine connection.
Have you ever felt an inexplicable pull towards someone, an undeniable connection that transcended the ordinary? A spark ignited, a sense of recognition as if you’d known this person in another life, in another dimension. This, I believe, is the essence of love’s choosing. It’s not a conscious decision we make but rather a magnetic force that draws us together, weaving its invisible threads through the fabric of our lives. And sometimes, like two pieces of a puzzle, an inevitable connection that just works. While other times, it can feel polarizing and challenging.
Love, I have discovered, is not a thing we can coerce into conformity. It either aligns naturally, or it simply does not. And the more we strain to make it fit, the more polarizing it becomes. The difficulty of parting from a deeply desired connection often leads us to stay, leaving us trapped in a state of stifled yearning, unfulfillment, and sorrow. Is this love’s lesson? Is failed love something we should be considering?
I believe that love’s lessons while challenging and sometimes devastating, impart invaluable wisdom about ourselves. We may approach these lessons with thoughtful consideration, or we may choose to reside in the realm of denial. Either way, the lesson is there. We always know when it is time to walk away, but we often stay. Is it fear of being alone that keeps us unfulfilled?
I would guess we have all been there…
In my forties, a chance encounter, a blind date, unfolded into a love of extraordinary depth, resulting in marriage. Even now, as I reflect upon our journey, I am filled with a sense of wonder at the relationship we have created. We have navigated life’s complexities together, celebrating triumphs and offering solace during the trials. This, I believe, is the essence of true partnership—a shared responsibility, a mutual support. and respect for one another. When one is blessed with true love, it becomes a treasure, a carefully preserved artifact in the museum of one’s life. For even amidst our imperfections, we are all worthy of love, and we are all meant to experience its profound embrace. Because even with all of our scars, we are all lovable, and we are all meant to be loved.
Truthfully, I had long resigned myself to the notion that such a connection was beyond my reach. Previous relationships, marked by a profound lack of fulfillment, had led me to question whether love like this even existed.
Have you ever experienced this sense of doubt? Or, worse, been subjected to the discouraging words of another? I have. Later introspection revealed the true intent behind those words; not an attempt to guide, but a desire to dim my light. These pronouncements, unfortunately, left indelible marks, now carefully curated exhibits within the private museum of my heart.
To surrender my heart, bare and fearful, was not easy. However, the lessons of love had made it clear: only by moving beyond my scars and hesitations could I find a true, deep, meaningful connection. Trust, I have realized, is the bedrock upon which any meaningful relationship is built. Without it, the deep connection remains elusive.
Love, like the stars, is ever-changing, ever-evolving. There are times of dazzling brilliance when the light shines so brightly it illuminates every corner of our souls. And there are times of darkness when the stars seem to fade, and we question our own ability to navigate the cosmic expanse. Don’t give up on love. But do let go of the unfulfilled promises that cause more pain than joy. You are worth true love. Never settle for a “sort-of-maybe-this-is-it-if-I-just-change” type of love. I can tell you without hesitation that this is not love.
This week’s heartfelt message is this: prioritize self-love and foster unwavering belief in your own inherent value. Life’s journey will leave its traces—cracks, imperfections, and scars—but when you experience authentic love, be it with a partner or a passion that ignites your spirit, you will revel in its sheer majesty. A lightness will infuse your every step, a brilliance will radiate from your smile, and a quiet confidence will define your presence in the world. For you will have endured life’s trials, emerging with the profound understanding that you are, without question, deserving of all that love offers.
I wish this for each of you.
