FROM MY PERSPECTIVE...ON SELF-RELIANCE...

"I am certainly not an expert on all matters of the heart, but as a romance writer, and as one who has lived independently for many years, I have come to understand that within the delicate balance of human relationships, there lies an essential truth... that we can love deeply and passionately without becoming entirely dependent on the object of our affection."

"In her iconic song, "The Greatest Love of All," Whitney Houston's lyrics ring true..."l decided long ago to never walk in anyone's shadow. If I fail, if I succeed, at least I'll live as I believe." Her message of self-reliance and achieving success on her own terms signifies finding inner strength and believing in oneself, rather than following others. In fact, the most fulfilling and lasting connections are often those in which love is paired with self-sufficiency, emotional resilience, and mutual respect for independence."

"But l've also learned that self-reliance can be a double-edged sword. While it has many virtues, it can rob us of true intimacy and the type of partnerships we desire. Many people are self-reliant to a fault, putting far too much pressure on themselves. They bring self-reliance to a whole new level because they are unable to rely on anyone. And in today’s modern environment, we have become much less reliant on others due to economic development, technology, and our increased individualism.”

"The truth is that love, in its purest form, should not diminish the individual's sense of self...instead, it should enhance it. This balance is what enables relationships to endure and flourish. Romance doesn't retire. It simply evolves, grows, and flourishes in new and beautiful ways.”

Stay gracious,

(Linda Joy Mattson, Author, Poet / THE ROSE & PROSE / PEACEFUL PROSE / SOULS IN PROSE / ebooks and paperbacks available at roseandprose.com)