Some might think that our general views about the world,
would have no impact on our chances of success in the marital game. Common
sense tells me otherwise. If, for instance, you think that you have an absolute
monopoly on the truth and innermost thoughts of the Creator, will you possibly
carry that understanding to spousal differences?
This is why I love this cosmopolitan couple's shared
observation that Robert puts so well: "I was exposed to a large number of
religious views during my time on ships and found that almost all religions, be
it Christian, Muslim, Judaism, Shinto, Hindu, Buddhism, or anything else all
preach a similar message-be good to others and yourself." In this Robert
states something very deep at the core of Rachel and his understanding as an
interfaith couple: neither of them has a monopoly on the universal truth, and
so certainly both are far from having a monopoly on any truth related to their
relationship.
The last part of that statement, though, might be the most
important. If there is any universal truth out there, one we could even ground
in science, it is this: “Be good to yourself, and be good to others.” If you
listen to Rachel and Robert talk about each other and their journey together,
you know that challenges they have faced together have helped them hone this
ability to be kinder and more loving to themselves, as well as to each other,
and to the rest of their world.
Rachel puts the degree of their mutual love resulting from
this journey of learning so well. Listen up, this is really something: “It is a
little cliché, but I... know Robert is the person I want to spend the rest of
my days with because he makes me laugh. Saying that doesn’t really do justice
to what I mean when I say he makes me laugh. I mean he makes me completely lose
it when we need that escape from the stressors in life. I have noticed at times
when I am very frustrated with something he actively finds ways to make me bust
out into a rolling-on-the-floor, clutching-my-stomach,
tears-rolling-down-my-cheeks laugh, and to be able to completely lose yourself
in a laugh like that is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world."
I would disagree with only one thing - I don't think it's
cliché at all. Though Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage, and all
the men and women merely players," true love should be the one exception
to the Bard’s rule. True love means you can shed all pretenses; you can take
off all the masks that hide you from the world, and throw your head back and
laugh. When you have that one person who can help you do just that, well, that
is THE most wonderful thing in the world, indeed.
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