“If you’re referring to their physical qualities, John, that wasn’t the reason. Physical attributes change. A beauty today may not be a beauty tomorrow. There is something much more important than physical characteristics. It’s something of the spirit. Coming from deep within, its expression overshadows everything else. It’s an attraction of the soul, that invisible part of you that has always been and always will be. That’s how it was with Peter, the stock- broker and Carlos, the minstrel. Their spirits radiated light to such an extent that I was drawn to the beauty of their souls.” Marla became quite still for a few moments as we sat there, side by side, looking out to sea.
To break the silence, I said,”I see. You bring into your experience, those who are similar to you. Then there is the matter of choices. There was nothing wrong with your wanting to be with them. Then why then did you give it all up?”
She leaned toward me and answered in a voice so soft that it was almost a whisper. “It was a situation of . . . let’s see . . . ‘Ships passing in the night.’ Somewhat similar to you and Kimberly. I should have known that it was time to move on. For some of us there is one relationship that lasts an eternity. For others, relationships may last for only a short while. Each makes a choice. Each chooses his or her own destiny. I had to go on. I had work to do and worlds to see.”
“I guess it’s like everything else,” I said. “Too focused and too much of a narrow view and you’re in trouble. Not focused at all, with desires running all over the place, you’re still in trouble. The old ‘moderation in all things,’ or the need for balance, right?”
“To a certain degree, yes,” she answered. “But there are other factors involved. As we learn the one secret of the universe we begin to find ourselves and, in doing so, we begin to understand, accept and live happier, more fulfilled lives.”
“Every once in a while though, don’t you think of Carlos or Peter? Don’t you miss them or wonder how your life would’ve been had you decided to stay with them?”
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