by Gladys Diaz

This past Saturday marked the fourteenth anniversary of my late husband’s passing.  It’s always a bitter-sweet day for me.  I am saddened that he’s no longer here, that he went through a lot of pain and suffering toward the end of his life, and that our life together ended so soon after it began.  I’m also grateful for the time we shared together, for everything I learned about love and life, and for having been blessed to have been loved by him.

I remember when he first passed away how lost I felt.  I wondered if I would even be able to breathe without him in this world.  How would I go on?  With literally one single breath, all of my hopes, dreams, and plans for the future were gone.  I wondered if I would ever smile or laugh again.  And I was sure I would never love or be loved that way again.  After all, he was my “The One.”  And a love like that comes only once in a lifetime… Right?

Thankfully, I was wrong!

There are many people who believe that there is only One person in the world that is “right” for each other person in the world.  We read about it in fairy tales and even books written by relationship experts.  We see it on TV and in the movies.  We are told that there is only one “The One.”

So, what happens when that person dies?  Or what if the timing was wrong?  Or what happens if you didn’t recognize him when he was in your life?  Are you doomed to a life of loneliness or “settling” for something less than what could have been?

Thankfully, NO!

The truth is that we live in a world of abundance – and that applies to love, too! Yes, it’s true that once you find the person who is right for you, he will be your “One.”  You will know without a shadow of a doubt that he is the person with whom you wish to share your life.  But, want know a secret?  It’s not because he was “chosen” for you.  It’s not even because it was “meant to be.”  When you attract that person who is absolutely right for you, you will get to choose to love him.  Why? Because being in-love is a choice.  It’s a day-to-day, moment-by-moment choice to give and receive love.

As I said earlier, there was a time in my life when I honestly believed I would never love again.  And I can’t tell you how incredibly grateful I am that I was wrong! How absolutely thrilled I am that my current husband and I met.  It was one of the loveliest, sweetest, and most unexpected surprises of my life!  I have been able to experience the capacity to love and be loved beyond my wildest dreams!  I know that finding love again IS possible.  And it’s possible for you, too!

So, if you’re holding on to the thought of “the one who got away,” or, if, like me, you’ve lost someone you truly and deeply loved, whether by death or other circumstances, don’t sentence yourself to a lifetime of loneliness or anything other than the extraordinary, amazing, take-your-breath-away love you deserve and your heart desires! Embrace the great memories, let go of the sad ones, and open your heart to love once again!  Believe and allow your next true love – your next “The One” – to find, love, and be loved by you!

Photo credit: Amy Lloyd via photopin.com cc