Love Clichés Undone Part – 4In Parts 1, 2 and 3 of Love Clichés Undone we looked at the truth behind such romantic axioms as “Size doesn’t matter” and “Once a cheater, always a cheater.” In Part 4, we’ll continue with more favorites. It’s all about communication This one finds many different forms and wordings but the essence always remains the same – the bottom line in your relationship is communication. There is an important distinction to be made at this point: communication is not the same as honesty. They are related for sure, but they are not necessarily the exact same thing. Just look at the number of relationships which survive infidelity – Hillary and Bill Clinton are going to make it despite some major dishonesty there (not that the Clintons are the model couple). Likewise, communication does not solely include the verbal and written word – communication includes every transmission of feeling, desire or observation from one party to the other. That would run the gamut from gift giving to sex. VERDICT The very word “relationship” ought to give you some insight into this one. A “relationship” is about “relating.” “Relating” is all about communication. No, your relationship is not the sum of the phone calls and conversations you two share – that would be shortchanging the word “communication.” But is active communication one of, if not the center of any relationship? You bet it is. Love conquers all Ah yes, the great “love conquers all.” From The Beatles to Henry David Thoreau, a whole lot of beloved intellectual and cultural figures seemed to have lined up behind this one. Is it the truth? Let’s look at a “for instance.” For instance, let’s say that you are madly in love with someone but that the two of you are flat broke and unqualified for any good work. Do you think that love is going to put food on the table? Maybe that’s too short-sighted – maybe if those two really love each other, they’ll find a way… they’ll just find a way. Or maybe, the reality of the world being a gigantic place and modern life being a very difficult journey to course through will catch up and they’ll work out or not having nothing to do with whether or not they love each other. Or how about this one: for instance, let’s say you are in love with someone who becomes diagnosed with terminal cancer. AIDS? Are you going to kiss the tumors away? Which is not to say that you can’t support your love in their time(s) of need – but is your love really going to conquer it? VERDICT Not even kind of true. Nothing conquers all. Now, an argument could be made that love helps all, or love prioritizes all… but no, love does not conquer all. Read the next installment of Love Clichés Undone for more of the world’s favorite love clichés picked apart. |
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