Image via The Purpose Fairy

I crawled into bed last night fully-intending to wake up this morning, get in some yoga and as they say about the best-laid plans, that didn’t happen. So, I meditated for a bit, or at least attempted it, popped online and this was one of the first memes I came across as I scrolled down my newsfeed on the Book of Faces.  The page The Purpose Fairy is one that I’ve been following for quite a while as it fits my Zenned-out, “Dude”-like way of life.  (If you’re unfamiliar with The Dude, go watch this movie.)

Anyhoo, so there I was attempting to down my first huge glass of water for the day, freshly-brewed coffee cooling to a drinkable temperature rather than molten-lava-hot, and I saw this meme.  I like this meme, and shared it, because I don’t think enough people in the world get the meaning behind the words.  Love without attachment.  Of course, I write that, or have said it in the past, and people look at me like I have suddenly transformed into Medusa before their very eyes.  I’ve had people tell me that “a little bit of jealousy is good for a relationship”, with every ounce of their body believing that’s true.  They don’t realize that when they say that kind of narrow-minded, and in my honest opinion – borderline psycho, tenet that my eyes glaze over and instantly I pity them.

I’ve attempted to argue, “How is it love if you’re jealous?”, explaining that to me that bespeaks not of love, but ownership.  But, they rarely get that jealousy, therefore attachment, doesn’t equal love, and then they try to accuse me of not loving Mr. Muse.  Oh how far from the truth they could be – just ask Mr. Muse if the opportunity presents itself.

So, here it is… my philosophy on love, and therefore attachment.  Attachment is pointless.  While the quote says it comes from a place of self-love, I believe it also comes from fear and lack of belief that one is “good enough”.  I’m confident that I’m “good enough”.  I have no fear that Mr. Muse will run off and find someone newer and more exciting and leave me by the wayside; and even if that were to happen, that is the path he would be choosing for his life.  Mine would continue on, it would be altered obviously, but it continue.

As I grew up, I saw relationship after relationship among my peers crumble into steaming piles of…. oh, let’s say imploded, derelict buildings, all because people couldn’t get it out of their heads to love the other person without attachment.  They clung.  They checked-up on who their target was talking to and thank goodness I grew up before the prevalence of cell phones.  Heck – I was even threatened for talking to a boy in high school who sat next to me in Band Class and at sporting events by his one-time girl friend.  Said boy wasn’t present for my dressing down (in the gymnasium… during a basketball game), but when he got back, I chuckled and said, “So, apparently I’m not supposed to talk to you… at least that’s what your girlfriend says, because I laugh too much when we talk.”  He shook his head sadly and said that he’d been trying to get around to breaking up with her because she was so jealous but he just hadn’t gotten to it yet.  They were finished within a few days.  No, he and I didn’t start dating after that but that began my reputation as a “Jezebel”, at least as much as I can pinpoint it.  Didn’t see that one coming, huh?

All those failed relationships I witnessed, where jealousy was the shallow-rooted foundation, helped me to realize that Attached Love was pointless and… quite frankly – just plain stupid.  As cliche as it is that saying:

via michellekinglife.blogspot.com

I’m not fond of this saying because it still speaks of possession, and therefore “attachment”.  It’s not altruistic or pure.  It doesn’t say “I love/want you because of who you are and I want you to live a wonderful life and I’d like to be part of it”, it says “I want you and this is a test and if you don’t come back – well, then… I didn’t want you anyway!”

So what does it all mean?  Well, when Mr. Muse first mistakenly joked around about how I was “his” – he never saw my reaction coming.  I bursted out, “No.  I’m MINE.  I love you and choose to be with you because I like who you are.  I am not yours.”  Yes, I’m independent (like that wasn’t obvious), but I know that the moment a relationship took on the stench of possession, attachment and jealousy – it was doomed.  That is something I will not sit quietly on the sidelines and watch happen.

As a long-time friend of mine has said, “There is something inherently sexy about a woman who doesn’t need you, is independent and does her own thing and wants you to do the same, but wants you to be around, too.”

So, what are your thoughts on Love and Attachment?  Do you agree with my philosophy or feel strongly about another viewpoint?

How did seeing relationships of others form your views?

Do you feel it’s better to be needed or wanted?