Out of all the things we might run across in this life... is there anything that gives a better payoff than making a friend/lover that will stick with you for the rest of your life?

The risk is in not trying.

Love is so misunderstood but is such a desirable malfunction of the heart.....It weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker.

Look at ALL the things you can get when in love...So, go forth young hearts, it is worth it.

i would once say a resounding YES

but, the longer I have managed to find health and happiness all on my own(with family and friends),,,

romantic love is more a dream or a hope that would be worth it IF it were real,

,but it takes ALOT more for me to be convinced of real love at this point in my life

I would rather be hurt 1000 times over than not take a chance at Love.

Is it worth the risk?....I am not sure anymore. U can only be broken so many times before u think more than twice about putting yourself on that path again.I ultimately believe I would becuz hope is something I refuse to give up-I would definately proceed with caution though.

Nikita , That is great that you said you refuse to give up...Therefore you are not a "broken woman"...So many are and they just can not stop being broken.....It is their job to fix themselves before looking again.... Many men are also, and they look for the....*fix* of a woman. I say it is worth the risk, but as you said....proceed with some caution, but don't take to long, the wheel keeps turning, and it runs downhill and goes faster and faster.

Yup. I give up. I don't want no part of this "love" thang. Chicks be mental man.

Sure hope you're right.

I can only be right for me, everyone gets to decide for themselves.
Breathing is a risk, walking out into a street has a risk, driving a car has a risk, a plane ride, eating a burger from mcdonalds...there is risk in every thing. I'm not gonna stop living out of fear of dying.

I truly can understand why some people would be "fearful" of loving again. I was married once, and I put all I had into that marriage. But in the end...it wasn't enough. Now, my ex wife did put alot into our marriage...for seven years she did....the last two years though she was non existent. And thus, so was I. So we both were to blame. Still, instead of wanting to work on it, she chose another dude. Now, I am a tough dude myself. I can take alot. But that hurt like hell, and as such it took alot of time to get past. But once I did....my whole outlook on life changed. I quit whining about what had happened and moved on. When I did....guess what? My ex wife saw that and then acted like she wanted me to notice her again. Ha! Once she saw that wouldn't work, she got married to the dude she left me for.

Anyways, my point is this. Love is something that is really great when you have it. I know I play around, act like I don't feel that way, but truth be told I do know what love is. I had it for seven years, and I will cherish those good memories. I also know I can have it again. With who? I have no clue. I am not in a rush to find it. I firmly believe it will find me....from where I least expect it. Till then, I am improving myself and enjoying the ride that is called Goof's life. I aint scared of love nor will I ever be. Is it a risk? Sure it is. But it is a risk worth taking.

YES

It's really simple.

Loving someone, is "FEELING". That is what makes us human. When you stop feeling, you stop living. You might be alive, but your actually walking dead.

I love my first and second wives, even though they are my ex's. I love my two ex girlfriends. Not as partners anymore. All four of them have hurt me. But I will not allow their actions to sour the love I have for them. That is my choice.

The problem here, is the definition of "LOVE", or "TRUE LOVE"...

True love, is having "NO" expectation of receiving anything back from that person, be they man or woman. When you love like that, their actions have nothing to do with your loving them.

Satisfying your "NEEDS" is very different... and many people confuse those needs with love from that person. We all have needs, and what makes us unique, is the mix each of us has of those needs. When the other partner stops caring enough to do the work to satisfy those needs, that is when problems in the relationship develop. And only if they care enough, will they seek help.

Essentially, to fear being hurt is natural, and protective. But, if you do not open yourself to that risk, then you cannot "FEEL" anything... and that is so much worse than being hurt. At any time.

So, don't blame love... it's out there for each one of us. Each time we meet someone new, there is only a 1% chance in our favor that the person we just met, is attracted to us... and without that attraction, which is animal in it's nature, it's difficult to find that "true love".

So, YES, I believe in TRUE LOVE. It is, what I seek. I have found it 4 times before and I see no reason why I won't find it, again...
And take it from me, the Universe does LISTEN.

in a word........................................................yes!

broken hearts can mend in a single beat
to not experience love is to be deadwood
in the middle of a profusion of life

live tender blossom
mend your bruise
and love
shine colorful petals
infuse the air with scent of
jasmine and wisteria

Hmmm, that reminds me, gotta go butcher the wisteria back into shape. It's reaching out and grabbing throats.

Love is worth the risk. I love being with my friends. I had a great love in my life. She passed away but I will always love her. I am thankful for that love.

i think you're smarter than most 22 yr old's out there. who knows if it's worth it or not to risk being hurt? but look at it this way, is not risking it worth never having someone to share your life with?
most people don't realize the level of commitment they're undertaking when they get married. because of this, they cut and run when things get tough. since you understand what it's going to entail, you need to find someone else with the same understanding.



. . .

<-----is what you get when you don't risk it often enough.




. . .