Cheers to Living, All One

 By Dr. J. Bliss

A great friend asked me something my family has asked me, the one question most ask after a divorce. Are you dating? 

My dad asked a week prior, and I told him no.

He looks at me and says well, you don’t have to be offended. My forehead wrinkled, and I proudly professed I'm not.

Then my dad pressed the inquiry why not.

I asked him why should I exchange what I do a magnificent job doing for another. I’m not interested in dating, I don’t pursue men, and when I speak with guys after telling me I’m beautiful, they freeze. It’s like cotton balls swell in their throat and are attacked by pollen. Laughter spread across the room.

So when my friend asked, I laughed and said I am dating myself. He encouraged me to date because I’d gone through so much. I deserved to go to a bar and let a guy wine and dine me with no strings attached. I laughed and said they would not know how to communicate and ruin the experience. He later suggested I try an online dating app. 

I laughed again, telling him I don’t like online dating. He laughed and said to think of it as Uber or Lyft.

I laughed and said yeah, that won’t work. I don’t like Uber or Lyft. I concluded, saying perhaps it’s my season to be single. Despite what some might think, I’m not alone, yet all one.

Dating is not interesting to me. I’m great with dating myself. I’ll consider courtship but not dating. To date a guy, it’s like a sport courtship is intentional.

I enjoy being single because I never disappoint myself on my self dates.

Being single grants me the opportunity to focus on myself. 

I have more options for discovering my direction and can focus on pursuing my aspirations without judgment. 

Welcoming singleness has given me access to what was once a desire…exercising. As a result, I can be more active and focus on the nutritious meals catered to me. 

Saying I Do to me means, I celebrate each aspiration I pursue. No one telling me what I hold valuable to my heart is not working for the family. So I’m free to work towards my goals and feel more fulfilled walking in the future.

Since I have embraced my single life, my creativity has been off the charts. Having more time gives me the space to be more creative and think deeper.

My schedule is mine! I’m not checking in with anyone to confirm if my interest interferes with there’s. I own my itinerary, and it’s incredibly liberating!

Overall, my acceptance of myself is fabulous. I’m not waiting to be with a person I am living to live. If I meet someone worthy of sharing my life with, I’m not settling. I know exactly what I want and deserve. Cheers to living!