Resist the trend to become more jaded

I went on a date a few days ago with someone I’ve known for a while. As we were talking, she indicated she’s done playing all the games we typically associate with dating. She’s done figuring out what guys she’s interested in. 

She knows what she’s looking for, she said. But does she? 

Dating the girl last year taught me so much more about what I needed in my life, about what I needed in a relationship. I had no idea those things and the tenderness I was shown were as important to me as they were. 

If I’d had the certainty that this girl I was on a date with had about what she wanted, I would have not started in that relationship that taught me so much.

I chose to not be adamant about what I was looking for, but be open to learning new things from what I started. 

I’ve been hurt several times in relationships since last year, and it’s made me less than desirous to date, but hearing this girl be so turned off and so unwilling to try things she wasn’t sure about made me recognize the need to resist the trend toward being jaded. 

I need to keep an open mind and open heart as I continue to move forward with my life.