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Dear Ralph,
People often dispense the advice "follow your heart"
to folks who are in situations like yours. On the surface, it seems
plausible. You say you are in love with this girl and it is only
natural that you want to be with her. It is also only natural that
you want her to reciprocate your feelings.
You're In Different Places
However, I will say to you that you need to evaluate your relationship
much more closely. From reading your letter it is obvious that both
your hearts are in two different places. For a relationship to be
successful, there has to be a degree of commonality. At the very
least, both people need to be ready to take the next step together.
The simple thing to do would be to stay where you are and hope
that one day she will be ready to commit to a more serious relationship
with you. What you need to ask yourself is, "how long am I
willing to wait"?
We could be talking about a serious amount of time here. Do you
think it will be worth it in the long run? Only you are sufficiently
able to answer these questions.
It May Take Her A Long Time To Figure It Out
I don't want to take the cynic's role in your issue, but from my
own experiences it usually takes career focused people many years
to realize that they've fumbled the ball in other aspects of their
lives.
You must prepare yourself for the possibility that she might never
be ready to love you, or anyone else for that matter. It is a sobering
thought I believe you need to deal with.
Generally, society is hung up on the ideal of their being one person
out there for everyone. We are so obsessed with it we blind ourselves
off to the fact that there are actually many people who can be right
for us.
Given how your situation is standing right now, you need to leave
yourself open to other experiences. Who is to say that in time you
will not meet someone who makes you feel the same way she makes
you feel? Do not place yourself in the position where you limit
your own potential.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be true to your feelings.
There is nothing wrong with just wanting to be with one person.
Devotion and fidelity are not profane words. Monogamy takes a strength
of character that many just do not have. It is very difficult to
be fulfilled by these things when your partner's head is in a different
place, though.
Date Other People
If you want to continue your relationship with this woman, do so.
Maybe one day she will decide that she wants you just as much. In
the interim, continue dating other people and do not close yourself
off to the ideal of being with someone else. Do not allow yourself
to miss another boat just because your current ship is stalled out
in the water.
Be honest with yourself, learn your own needs, and be good to yourself.
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