Dating After Divorce “Unexpected”

By: Kenneth Stepp

It happens in football, boxing, and even hockey. It can also happen in love & dating. Everything is rolling along wonderfully, then BAM! You are blindsided by the unexpected. It can take the form of many things. And like most subjects I write about. It can be good or bad.

The unexpected is something, well, we aren’t expecting. Going on a first date and they are amazing. Unexpected in a great way. Meeting someone for the first time and they are a narcissistic sociopath that blames everything on everyone. Unexpected in a bad way. Unexpected happens to all of us. Know it, live with it, because you will never be ready for the unexpected. It’s the nature of the beast.

I have met the unexpected on both ends of the spectrum. I met a girl for the first time and found myself in love. The real thing. I remember leaving that 6 hour first date verbally saying, “You cannot love her”. Sometimes love is in charge. In my defense, we had shared hundreds on conversations beforehand. So, it wasn’t the craziest thing ever. Just new to me. Months later, it ended. But, I learned so much about myself from that relationship. Yes, some good, some bad.

“You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen” – Paulo Coelho

Although I am unsure we can stop the unexpected, or it needs us to allow it to happen. Embracing it when it arrives is what I always hope to do. Both the good & bad ones. I revel in the good ones, and learn from the bad ones. So, they are part of my mosaic of my life. What makes me, me. We are all like a piece of art. We control little of the colors that glide across our canvas. Enjoying the creation that is ourselves as it fills in is half the journey. Maybe part of the destination as well.

Today I will go to my neighborhood tavern. We all know one another there. I use it as my office. Not much unexpected happens there, but there are moments I have been surprised. So far, all in a good way. It always involves getting to know people. People are my playground. I love them. And, I meet so many of them in my pursuit to understand life, love, and looking. I am truly blessed.

“We love life, not because we are use to living but because we are use to loving” Friedrich Nietzsche 

Loving life…..Have you ever thought about this? How does one love life? I still believe it is in how we relate to others. I have had days at the beach watching the waves flow in and out and been very content. But, when I move to the beach, I stopped enjoying the beach. People are all unique. So, no one is the same as another. If you take what beaches are, they are all about the same. So, my enjoyment is in those I meet. Yes, the unexpected happens. Some good, and some bad. But I will open myself up to it every day. Will you?

“I love meeting new people; I think everyone has a story to tell. We should all listen sometimes” – Kim Smith

www.stepplife.com

Founder, American Angel Works