![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.hyogoajet.net\/hyogotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/hope-sreet-300x203.jpg\" "\\"hope-sreet\\"")
<\/a>Battered, bruised, saddened and apprehensive are just some of the feelings one has after being a victim of numerous failed relationships. Each time your heart gets broken, you would swear on your Fendi tote that you will never go through this again. Then a few months down the road you find yourself at the mirror putting on your \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122face\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and picking an outfit to go on another date. And the cycle continues. But I wonder, is dating a natural part of life (like wisdom teeth), or are we dating, optimistically, in the hope that someday our \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122other half\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 will show up; and when he\/she does, we will be rescued from the paws of dating \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122hell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and taken to the land of happily-ever-after?<\/p>\nBelief! Maybe it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not even advisable to be an optimist after a certain age. Maybe pessimism is something we need to start applying on our skins every day, like moisturizer. Otherwise, how do you bounce back after reality batters your belief system and love does not, as promised, conquer all? Is hope the drug we need to come off of, or is it keeping us alive? What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the harm in believing?<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Believing\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 reminds me of child-hood disappointments when you are anticipating a fabulous birthday gift (say, a doll house) and your parents bought you books (and I am not talking about myself\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6. How dare you think that! *smirk*). Was it wrong to believe that you would get what you actually wanted? Or, was it wrong to just believe? Why not just approach life with no expectations and no beliefs and accept whatever comes your way, good or bad. But then, in not believing, wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t life be less fun?<\/p>\n
Some people are afraid to believe. Is it that they are afraid that they might actually surprise themselves and get what they wished for? No! I doubt it. I think the real fear is that of not getting what you spend your life hoping for. But how many bad dates and failed relationship can one person go through all in the name of the Church of Optimism and Hope? Is it that these failed relationships and bad dates are the tests of your religion and should somehow \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcstrengthen\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 your belief system? Well, if that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the case, some Church members might just grow weary and fade away on the high-ways and by-ways (in a T.D. Jakes\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 voice). Who then, shall be \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsaved\u00e2\u20ac\u2122? Is it that if you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe, you are punished by not getting your Prince Charming?<\/p>\n
Well, there is something about Christmas, believing, faith and dreams coming true\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 During this fabulous season where we pile on the layers of fabulous scarves, cardigans, and ponchos (and yes, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe these are back \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u2122in\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in Japan\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 saw them in the mall yesterday) and anticipate a perfect winter, exercise your faith in the fact that your relationship dreams will be fulfilled and who knows, Santa might just grant you your wish this year.<\/p>\n
From your fellow hopeful believer from the Church of Optimism and Hope, I wish all the readers a fabulous and bright Christmas and an even more fulfilled New Year.<\/p>\n
(PS: Guess who is sitting on a Malaysian beach with their boo sipping margaritas while you are reading? Yes, you got that right!)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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