I have been known to over-generalize by lumping all men and all women into categories in order to simplify my life. The bottom line is, when you can put aside your hurt and frustration, that all people are struggling with their individual problems, and you can't expect anything from anyone. If you have expectations, you have already set yourself up for hurt. People are fluid, changeable, and constantly growing (even if they are not intentionally seeking personal growth). Isn't that what life is all about - learning and growing? To expect another to treat you a certain way, or meet one of your needs, is unrealistic. No one can meet your emotional needs all the time. It is your responsibility to take care of your own needs, make yourself happy, and then you can share yourself with another. But that is difficult, because even the most emotionally stable person will meet his or her own hurdles, which may cause them to falter and possibly hurt someone close to them. Give people space to grow and make mistakes. Life is hard for everyone, even those who seem to "have it all" because there is not one person in this world who is immune to illness, famine, dehydration, loneliness, self-pity, or any other hardship that other human beings face. Just because you do not see them dealing with a hardship does not mean that the person you interact with is not struggling on some level. Maybe they are having a moral crisis in which they are unsure of who they are or what they believe. Or, possibly the person has not yet learned the value of friendship, trust, loyalty or forgiveness. Everyone has their own path, and learns at their own pace.

Ending all relationships is not always the answer, but if you need a break from them that is a healthy choice. Try to focus on making your life the kind of life that you can be proud of, and you will find that people will come into your life that you never expected and will give you the gift of true friendship that you are looking for (romantic or not). I hope this helps. It's something that I have to remind myself of EVERY DAY, and have not yet mastered. I understand the philosophy, but saying it and living it are two very different things.

Good luck on your journey through life, and I hope you find the strength and resolve to get the things you want, regardless of whether or not others are living up to your expectations. In the end, we die alone. Make yourself happy...or give it a good try!

This post was written with love, and I hope it is received that way.