Since I was a teenager, I have endeavored to be strong. Strong in body and in spirit. However, I believe that I mistook independence for strength. For example there is a popular conception that you shouldn't have to change yourself for your lover. I have come to realize that I am willing to change, and that this does not diminish my strength. And I have come to realize that independence is a concept inconsistent with living and loving. Another kind of strength is being able to stand up for what I believe in, even when it goes against my social group: strength to believe what's in my heart. With age my physical strength is diminishing; I ponder whether the strength of my heart and soul and spirit is diminishing too. "No man is an island."
John of the True Love Cafe

Posted on December 04, 2006 at 8:56 PM. You can skip to the end.