Chasing Windmills

Soul Mates ?

Alright boys and girls, today's question is : Soul mates, do they exist ? Or are there a finite amount of people with whom we are compatible ?
Of course, many people think they have found their soul mate. But, honestly, how can this be verified ? All we have is our own subjective understanding. For example, what if the happy couple are before the throne of God and this happens :
God says, "Yes, you two are happy and compatible. But you are not soul mates. Young lady, your soul mate is in Boise, Idaho. However, since I gave mankind free choice and he decided not to take the job in L.A., you two never met. And as for you young man (of course we are all young relative to the Almighty) since you didn't go to Notre Dame, you didn't meet your soulmate. So happy couple yes, soul mates no."
Since I know of no one who has returned from the throne of God, this theory remains a theory. It is not proven law, but it can't be refuted either. I only know of one relationship in history guided by God. Joseph and Mary. For He told Joseph to take and marry her since she was with child by the grace of the holy spirit.
This prefaces my next concern which is love triangles. One of the oldest plots in story telling. Two men in love with the same woman. And unless you are Mormon, Muslim, or into alternative lifestyles this ain't going to work. I refuse to believe that in this world 2 people cannot have the same amount and depth of love for another person. I will base my analogy on the most sacred of stories Casablanca.
In the beginning, we do not know that Ilsa and Rick had a thing. When they did have a thing, Rick didn't know Ilsa was married/ thought to be a widow. When Ilsa finds out Victor is still alive, she rightly leaves Rick and returns to her husband. Then all three meet up in Casablanca.
Yes, she ends up with Victor. But who is to say he loves her anymore or less than Rick ? Do we assume that just because Rick "lost out" that he is not her soul mate ? Is it an after the fact determination, "since we are married we must be soul mates" ? Victor gets Ilsa, and Rick walks off into the Moroccan night with a frogophile. Great consolation.
Did Ilsa choose Victor out of love or obligation ? Some may argue the latter, Rick was her soul mate and now they must live without each other. And that is where the story ends.
But what next ? If they are soul mates (and if that concept does exist then there is one and only one for each of us) what happens if you are Rick ? How about this for a moral dilemna. Do you then marry someone you are compatible with knowing that person is not your soul mate or do you live life alone ? Yes, you could win an Oscar for your performance, but deep down you know she's not "the one". And if you are her, how do you feel knowing that you're not the one ?
So, is it soul mates and destiny, or are there many compatible people out there and we let free choice decide ?

posted by Michael @ 8:43 AM