In all the rules of love and handicapping nothing can be quite as dangerous as not playing one’s cards on the table. It is easy to calculate the potential and risks of a new love when dealing with all the factors, but when important information is withheld everyone loses.
I would be hard pressed to call someone who doesn't play their cards on the table a cheater. No, I'm more likely to consider them losers. You can't be a winner at any game without giving it your all - to anyone. We have all witnessed champion athletes give it their all, regardless of conditions and/or injury. And when you hold back, the only person you are cheating is yourself.
Why would someone hold back and not play their cards openly and honestly? The answer is very simple - fear. It is fear of the outcome that would deride them from a comfortable path - a path well worn. As humans we can fear many things in life - sickness, debt, loss and death. The greatest fear many never overcome is love. Our fear of love is so simple yet we all complicate to such extremes - heartache, responsibilities, and loyalties to others and just flat our resignation to a certain fate.
Another possibility would be playing the game without any serious attempt at winning. You know all those mindless dating games we play. It’s called testing the waters. Why give it your all when you don’t know the conditions – cold, lukewarm or hot, so we hold back and until we know the conditions are clear. Some may find this hesitance prudent; I find it cowardice for we will never know the truth of love if not played fairly.
To love and to love fully is not to be afraid of its direction - how it may twist and turn us. To love is to embrace it at every turn. Only we when have the courage and confidence to play our hand openly on the table do we have the chance of reaping love's greatest rewards.
I would be hard pressed to call someone who doesn't play their cards on the table a cheater. No, I'm more likely to consider them losers. You can't be a winner at any game without giving it your all - to anyone. We have all witnessed champion athletes give it their all, regardless of conditions and/or injury. And when you hold back, the only person you are cheating is yourself.
Why would someone hold back and not play their cards openly and honestly? The answer is very simple - fear. It is fear of the outcome that would deride them from a comfortable path - a path well worn. As humans we can fear many things in life - sickness, debt, loss and death. The greatest fear many never overcome is love. Our fear of love is so simple yet we all complicate to such extremes - heartache, responsibilities, and loyalties to others and just flat our resignation to a certain fate.
Another possibility would be playing the game without any serious attempt at winning. You know all those mindless dating games we play. It’s called testing the waters. Why give it your all when you don’t know the conditions – cold, lukewarm or hot, so we hold back and until we know the conditions are clear. Some may find this hesitance prudent; I find it cowardice for we will never know the truth of love if not played fairly.
To love and to love fully is not to be afraid of its direction - how it may twist and turn us. To love is to embrace it at every turn. Only we when have the courage and confidence to play our hand openly on the table do we have the chance of reaping love's greatest rewards.
RSS Feed