At Dictionary.com, it�s defined as: �A person with whom one has a strong affinity.�

Considering the implication of the word when it�s used in the context most often seen here, that definition seems pretty weak, doesn�t it?

Yes, the definition is weak because it represents someone trying to describe feelings that are nothing more than a chemical reaction in the brain. It follows that there would be great difficulty in assigning some supernatural or epic meaning to such a mundane, common, natural biological event.

Face it, waywards, philanderers and ye of low moral character: your feelings of love are equal to the reaction you have to the smell of a food you like. In a population of billions, your life�s course is determined by a few microscopic brain cells saut�ed in a chemical sauce of your own making.

Epic? Hardly. Seems more curiously gross, like the little yellow things the science teacher made you to cut out of that frog in seventh grade.

Companionship. Now there�s a word I can sink my teeth into! Try looking up the word �companion� in the dictionary and you�ll immediately note how much more action-oriented is the definition.

Your soulmate is the one who shares your chemical reaction, like the next one in line when you pass the joint.

Your companion is the one who shares your household, shares your chores, shares your commitments, is your guide, your mate.

Your soulmate is the one with whom you steal those oh-so-precious moments in the car. Your companion is the one who helps pay the car note, insurance and maintenance, and drops everything to come to your rescue when that car breaks down.

Your soulmate makes you feel on fire when he touches your hand. Your companion held that hand through the hours of pain and trepidation of childbirth, and would willingly walk through fire to protect you and your child.

Your soulmate understands you. Your companion understands that you need food, clothing, shelter, security, social structure, and is home working to provide those things for you while you�re out being �understood� by your soulmate.

My grandmother was five-foot-nothing and weighed probably 110 pounds while fully-clothed and carrying in a sack of onions from the garden. She took care of my six-foot, 200-plus pound grandfather for 30 years after a debilitating accident that, ultimately, left him unable to walk. I would stand in awe and watch that tiny woman heave my sizable grandfather around from recliner, to wheelchair, to bed, to car, and anyplace and everyplace he needed to go (though once, at fourteen, when I decided to jump out from behind the door and startle my grandmother on a lark, I experienced first-hand the true power residing in that diminutive frame).

My grandfather had a companion. And I witnessed a profound life-lesson, an unforgettable example in true love and caring.

You know, when it comes to that little saut� sizzle �soulmate� represents, my wife and I are still able to light that burner and cook those cells when the fancy strikes.

But, if I had to choose, I�d take the companionship a thousand times over. That�s something I can wrap my whole brain around.

Oh no!

You know, I just realized for the first time that the acronym for my forum name is the same as the oft-used acronym for the Other Woman's Husband.

Guess I better start considering a new log-in name:

Old War Nag? Nah. Though the implication may be apt, the gender is off.

Old War Stud? Ha ha ha! Not quite . . .

Old War Gelding? Yikes! No!

Out to Pasture? Hmm. Now, that one might work . . .

We could just call you "Old" How does that work for ya?

Eh? What's that again, Deary? (He says while cupping his ear . . .)

How 'bout OldHorse?

Here is what one website says about soul mates:

"It was originally believed that soulmates are created when the creator takes a soul and splits it into two, as it is caste into human form. Each half is supposed to learn the life lessons at their own pace. When the two halves sometimes cross paths during various lifetimes, they have a cosmic powerful bond because they really are of the same soul. They complete each other. They are often very much alike, and the intensity of the connection is too much for a mere human with emotions and issues to handle, so they painfully end up parting ways. When they both finish their lessons, they are both reunited in heaven and come together as a beautiful representation of love and unity. This is also known as your twin flame. Only one person is the other half of your soul."

The whole soul mate nonsense was so interesting when I first read up on it here on MB.

My H and I were very much in love with each other when we married, and we never used that terminology. It wasn't until the A that my H used it to describe his OW.

When I discovered MB and read the list of things that waywards say, it was like a list of symptoms for a disease. Wow. And soul mate was one of the symptoms.

Like you, I'd rather NOT have a soul mate; give me a good and faithful companion any day. Sounds like the description of a canine friend...

I'm with you on this, LongWay. Isn't it wonderful, the example they set for us every day?

I like OCD... Old crotchity dude...

CV

If all my associates had a vote, this would probably be the one . . .

Dr. Harley points out that any people can feel like they are soulmates. Do the right things (whether this is your intentional goal or not), and you'll be soulmates!

It is a chemical reaction, yes. And it is wonderful. But of course it can be your worst nightmare (and the worst nightmare of the people you care about and who care about you) if it is aimed at one person and you are married to someone else.

What to do? Do the right things with the right person, and don't do those things with other people! It's that simple! And do it even if you don't feel like it. Your feelings will follow.

Something that I heard while growing up is that when you have sex with someone there is a spiritual connection made, whether the relationship continues or not, and that is another reason it is so dangerous and scary to have pre-marital or sex outside the marriage. I always wondered if this was true. If it is, yikes!!!!!

Sex within a marriage is a very spiritual thing and can be (and is) beautiful. My DH is definitely my soul mate forever and I know he feels the same way. We're two peas in a pod, a team, boyfriend and girlfriend, a united front when things come against the other. It hasn't always been this way for us (obviously) but now it's like we're making up for lost time. In sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death parts us. We're at the end of our lives (on this earth) and our marriage and sadly we wasted some years.

Ok, I'm rambling now and have probably gone off topic, so to get back on track.... Soulmates in marriage? Yes.

Found where I heard Dr. Harley say this:

http://www.marriagebuilders.com/radio_program/play_segment.cfm?sid=154

Summary of some of the things Dr. Harley said:

YoungFreedomStallion

Great stuff, all this talk about soulmates and companions being one and the same: being married to our soulmates!

[quote=itistoughlo

While a few of the others may be more fitting, this is the one to which I should aspire. Awesome!

Aged Combat Equine - Ace for brevity...