People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.
A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.
A soul mate’s purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master…
– Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
I dunno that I agree with that. Mainly because “soul mate”, as I understand it, is derived from the gaelic Anamchara or “soul friend” and the connotation is a life-long companion. I certainly agree that a soul mate should challenge you, but in a way that you and your soul mate can change together. That last word being the most important, if someone comes along and shows you a side of yourself that changes you and then leaves, that person is fulfilling a guiding or mentoring function.
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And now, back to my paper!