It seems that the term, 'soul mate', is used almost as a catch phrase in today's society. In recent years it seems to have a different meaning than when I was young. As a little girl my head was full of the idea that two people met, got to know each other, and then they felt that they could go through everything in the world together, but that the world would seem meaningless without one or the other of them. Those two people would go through life making all decisions together. They would laugh together in the good times, and weep together in the bad times. There was a connection that made each know they were one part of two. My husband was my soul mate, and since I never had time to socialize, my husband was my best friend too. Now I see married people that say they're soul mate is a best friend, or someone that thinks like them. Sometimes the 'soul mates' are of the same sex, and sometimes they are of the opposite sex. I have actually heard someone say, "I love my husband/wife, but my soul mate is my bla bla bla. I would think that would make for quite a bit of confusion in a marriage. What do you think of this "new" way of thinking?
@Ina I. Wonder "Soul Mate" to me means someone who knows what is in your heart without you having to tell them or show them what's there. They just seem to know what you like, feel, and are thinking without you ever having shared any of this with them. It's almost like they are you in a way because they instintively know "you" ...sometimes even better than you know yourself. My Honey is my soul mate...but I also have a soul best friend who knows me this same way too. I can also see your meaning Ina...as once you learn what is in each other's souls..you certainly would be soul mates too.
My late husband was my soulmate because he knew me more than anybody and I could count on him for anything. I always felt everything was okay as long as I had him, whatever happened he would take care of it.
@Babs Hunt, you make some good points. I guess I just hadn't thought of it that way. Althought my husband was my soul mate and best friend for over 47 years, I had a son that somehow from the time he was born, I always knew what he was feeling. As he got older, I would even know and understand how he thought. He died at 27. He has been gone now for 23 years, and I've never had this connection with anyone else. I had an unbelievable love for my second son, but our friendship and understanding of each other had to grow through the 45 years that he lived. Now I'm wondering if a person can have more than one soul mate.
In my opinion and from personal experience you can although I would call my spouse my soul mate...and my best friend more like my soul's twin. Your son wasn't your mate, but your souls recognized each other so to me that relationship would be more like your soul's twin. I think you can have more than one person who shares the knowing of your heart and it definitely can be a spouse, or friend, or even a family member. I have a sister who shares the same birthday as me, but I am five years older. We always had soul hearts too.
I don't know the term soul mate when I got married. But when I read an article in the magazine about soul mate, I easily understood that I had found my soul mate in the person of my husband. Our relationship is far from perfect though for like ordinary couples, we also have disagreements and spats. But what's worth looking at is the vibes that we have - we seem to be always in synch on most things, meaning we can agree without saying anything. By the way, there is no romantic touch to our relationship. We don't say "I love you" and we don't even celebrate wedding anniversaries or Valentine's Day. And I agree when he brought up that issue which is commercialism or just showing off. Everyday should be a Valentine's Day, said he. I can go on and on but I have to stop for I am on my way to work.
When I was younger I heard and read about soul mates. The idea and reading other's experiences filled my young mind with so much expectation in a marriage that I dismissed it after my first marriage ended in divorce. I knew that I wanted to be a wife, mother, and homemaker and questioned why our marriage failed. I found my answers as I began to grow spiritually in the Word of God about marriage. When I looked back I could clearly see how different my ex and I were spiritually. It was years before meeting Johnny and the one and most important focus between us is our love for God and his purpose for us, together and individually.
I personally don't believe in the term. If it's worked for others, I'm happy for them. I think an animal has given me the most solace in life. More than any human has, including my own family.
I like the old term for soul mate where you'd know about it for you'd feel so comfortable with each other. The new way just confuses the phrase soul mate a whole lot. I don't know how it got so changed all of a sudden, but it leaves me to be careful of what I say from now on.
I would like to think everyone has a soul mate, or the ideal person that compliments them, but we may never meet that person in actuality. I think in reality there are a lot of people we can be happy with, if we are open to it. Sometimes you click with certain people that are like you, because you have an understanding of them, and vice versa. When I meet someone I have connection with male or female, I tend to treasure it, but it doesn;t seem to mean as much to them. They don't seem to have any problem just jettisoning the friendship, which makes me wonder...Did it ever even exist?
It take two to have a friendship, but that doesn't mean what you felt wasn't real @K E Gordon. It just means it wasn't reciprocated.
Soul mate mean you have a lot in common.....not necessarily the same hobbies but things like morals, sense of humor, etc. You are able to talk about anything together and come up with similiar opinions and ideas. And you feel close to that person. You are able to sense what that person is thinking or feeling.
@Ina I. Wonder , how long have you been a Question-Asker? I have noticed over time that you are just full of questions. This one about "Soul-mates" is a hard one! It has me almost stumped, as to how to answer it. First, I notice no guys have waded in to the quick sand to set things straight. I have to admit, my first reaction was to think of the Shoemaker cartoons......"Of course your shoes are not here....you told me you wanted them to be re-sold"! The the fish store cartoons came to mind....Signs reading "Sole"......and...."Sole Mate"! I laugh when I read all of the "definitions" online of Soulmate. I think the term is undefinable,in the general sense. I found two types: The Opposite and The Mirror Soulmate, mentioned. My only experience has been in our 46 years of marriage. I like to think of marriage as being like a pair of scissors. Both halves are totally different,but designed to work together. I think of two people on the same wave length, as soul mates. Since we are each a unique original, designed by God, I think it makes good sense, that He would be the one to send people into our lives, who would mesh well with us. As Bob Cratchit said in "The Christmas Carol", "Life is full of greetings and partings"! I think that anybody who is seeking such a person, should look around at the people who are in their life (new arrivals) and will not be disappointed. Ask God to show you who. As for the cartoons.......
@Babs Hunt Well I know what I felt was real, that is not in question, but obviously, the other person was killing time or something...because they would not easily ditch you if what they felt was real as well. I have had a few things like that, that seemed very real, but the other person...just walked away with out some much as a see ya later. It isn't just men who do this by the way.