In Deep Smit

The definition of the word "smitten" is an interesting one. Or an interesting three rather.

Smitten – adj.
1. struck, as with a hard blow
2. grievously or disastrously stricken or affected
3. very much in love

Fine is the line between genius and insanity, and evidently so is the one between love and grief. (The latter pair, of course, capable of making you feel not at all unlike definition number one, sometimes, but not limited to, the stomach region.) Another testament to the whole yin yang outlook on life, you just can't have one without the other or at least without the distinct possibility of the other. Why, when we fall for someone, do we immediately get scared? Or why do some go as far as to completely avoid falling in the first place? I've never heard of anyone who is afraid of their heart bursting with love. But utterly terrified of it getting shattered into a million pieces by way of love gone disastrously wrong? Welcome to 98% of all poetry, music, storytelling and film. As soon as we open ourselves up to another person, it is that very instant that anything is possible. Anything. Making it precisely the reason it feels so amazing to fall so hard and so free and so completely for someone. Because it can vanish, for any reason, in an instant.

One of my favorite quotes from a film (and one of my favorite films actually) is a line from Flirting with Disaster where Tea Leoni's character boldly responds to a whiny Ben Stiller complaining about how vulnerable he feels in his relationship.

"Every marriage is vulnerable, otherwise being married wouldn't mean anything, would it?"

It makes perfect sense. In any relationship actually, not only marriage. If you don't fear losing it, what value would it have in the first place? It goes hand in hand with another one of my favorite lines. This one from (the BEST show in the world) Six Feet Under. A grieving woman asks Nate, "Why do people have to die?" He answers simply, "To make life important."

What makes something precious? The fact that it is unique, delicate, special, rare, extraordinary?

What makes something precious? The fact that it can be broken, stolen, hurt, shattered, destroyed?

I will ask again.

What defines precious? Something that is loved, admired, respected, cared for, cherished, valued, treasured?

Or…all of the above.

Fine line or simply facets that make up the whole? A diamond is stunning with its unparalleled beauty and sparkle and clarity…..but its edges are sharp. Its authenticity is often tested by its ability to cut glass. So does the same hold true for love? Do you know it's real only when you know it can really hurt you?