According to Greek mythology, humans were originally created with four arms, four legs, and a head with two faces. Fearing their strength and afraid they would one day conquer the gods, Zeus sent lightening bolts down to split them in half. Since then, we have been condemned to wander the earth in search of our other half. This is how the term "soulmate" came about.
Cute story, right? It seems that the vast majority of TV shows I watch and books I read have something to do with the protagonist finding their "soulmate." Hell, "How I Met Your Mother" milked that plotline for nine whole seasons! The idea that there is one person out there who understands and accepts you completely is sweet, but it's probably not true.
Take this hypothetical story, for example: A woman meets the man of her dreams, they get married, but then he dies in a tragic car crash. Assuming everyone only has one soulmate, and that he was hers, she would have to remain single for the rest of her life, as the only person that "completes her" is gone. However, plenty of people in this type of situation do get remarried. So, was the first person not really their "soulmate," then, even if they were completely in love?
As you can probably guess at this point, I'm not a believer in the whole "soulmate" idea. And, no, it's not because I'm hopelessly cynical (though that is true). Actually, I do believe in soulmates; I just don't believe that they're only one person. See, I don't actively like that many people, and I can be very particular about who I befriend.
But, there are some people that I like almost the minute I meet them. I couldn't tell you exactly why; maybe it was something about their smile, sharp wit, or incredible intellect. Anyway, there was just something that attracted me to them, not in a physical or romantic way, just in a "I-want-to-know-all-about-you-because-you-fascinate-me" kind of way. And, whenever I've felt that, I always wound up becoming really close to that person.
Which brings me to my second point: Soulmates don't necessarily have to be a significant other; they can be a mother, father, sister, brother, best friend, whoever. All that matters is how they make you feel when you see them. If they can turn a horrible day into a good one, make you smile when you feel like you'll never be happy again, and just generally love and support you, then that person is your soulmate. Obviously, this description can apply to a variety of people in one's life, and that's absolutely fine. It's best to have a large support system, full of lots of people who are willing to help out when needed.
If "How I Met Your Mother" taught us anything, it's that no one should be a Ted. Stop searching for that one perfect person, because they don't exist. Instead, search for the people who make you happy, who bring out the best in you, and vice versa. More importantly, cut out the people who don't, who point out your flaws and make you feel unimportant. If one of them becomes a significant other, great! But if not, it's not the end of the world. It's super cliche, but we all deserve to be loved, in whatever way.
