Welcome to Gaia! ::

Well, to get the different angle perspective, instead of using the model that Windsong suggested, I would propose using the Venner diagram model to describe the experiences themselves. For those not familiar with them, I'll try to simplify and explain as simple as possible.

Imagine a circle. This circle represents an event. Every point of this circle represents a certain part o the even, seen in a certain way, from a certain angle, etc. Now a person that experienced this event would have parts of this area in their own lines, even if it's not all of it. Am I making sense?

Additionally, as far as my understanding goes, the lines follow events, not experiences. Two different persons that die might give similar experiences, but they are two different events.

I believe in soulmates, but not in a necissarily romantic sense. There isn't any one person out there who will complete you or whatever the mushy stuff that seems to be very popular right now says.

I think of soul mates as people you've agreed in incarnate with and probably have incarnated with before. There is a strong pull or relationship with that person, but it does't=/= romantic or even positive. I have on friend who I almost can't call a friend we fight and argue so often, but I know he is one of my soul mates. I know that through our interaction I grow and heal a lot and I know that I do the same for him.

But yeah a soul mate is just another soul who travels with you as far as I'm concerned any other per-conceived notions about that soul could be complete rubbish. We aren't the ones who know exactly why we travel with another.

I think I do.
I want to.

No offense, SIN, but do you even realise that the weak are the ones who don't trust, and not those who do? What you need isn't to stop trusting, it's to learn what real trust is. Besides, you do trust others. You're obviously not a hermit, living isolated from everyone and everything, and thus you trust others, even if you dislike it. Everything that you get is because others provide you with something that makes it possible for you to get it, and you trust them to keep doing it even if you're not aware of it. But I suppose that goes without saying. The weakness I'm talking about is of a whole different nature.

The short way to explain it is that while the individual is weak, the collective is strong. The fact that you've been hurt and/or been taken advantage of is most likely only the result of your inexperience and inability to deal with setbacks, and is probably beeing blown out of proportion by your own mind. Basically, you need to reprioritise the importance of most things. I mean seriously, you probably couldn't go a month without internet. No offense or anything, you have all the right to belive what you want, you just don't have anything of real value to back it up in my opinion.

The truly strong have learned how to turn sorrow into strength, not how to block out the world. Trust isn't to leave yourself open to attack, it's to place guards on top of the wall to guard from attacks.

I used to believe in them, but I think saying that I definately do now would be almost lying. I'd love to be that idealistic again, but I just can't. Perhaps the goddess and god with smack me in the face with Mr. Right and I'll change my mind, but so far, no such luck.
I do believe in true love, but I think it's something that is worked for, not just something that automatically happens. I don't believe in love at first sight, I believe in lust at first sight. Love is unconditional, not material and shallow.

Sorry to cause the "feel good train" but that's my view.

Karn8

Do you beleive in soulmates?
I used to but now that belief is wavering, perhaps its the single-girl blues as my mom calls them and the fact that Valentines day just left.

First of all, you're really really pretty.
Second, I don't believe in "soul mates" but I believe in mates whose souls connect on a magickal level.

I thought i did...I met someone last summer and we fell head over heels for eachother in the first meeting. it wasn't even physical. it was just knowing he was there and i there for him. we shared such a great bond. it was ecstacy and everything was perfect. our parents didn't like us together however and a long series of events led to us not talking anymore. I thought it was true but the way things turned out. I'm still shattered and this happened last september. I think of him everyday, look for him when i'm out. if i do believe in soul mates, i also believe it can only hurt.