What’s the difference?” I asked him. “Between the love of…
““What’s the difference?” I asked him. “Between the love of your life, and your soulmate?” “One is a choice, and one is not.” I’d never thought of love as a choice. Rather, it seemed like the un-choice. But if you stayed with someone who was self-destructing and chose to keep loving, I suppose it could be a choice. I waited for him to go on. To explain how I fit in. “There is a string that connects us that is not visible to the eye,” he said. “Maybe every person has more than one soul they are connected to, and all over the world there are these invisible strings.” As if to make his point, his finger traced a black ribbon that ran through my horse’s mane. “Maybe the chances that you’ll find each and every one of your soulmates is slim. But sometimes you’re lucky enough to stumble across one. And you feel a tug. And it’s not so much a choice to love them through their flaws and through your differences, but rather you love them without even trying. You love their flaws.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Love can be both a deliberate decision and an involuntary feeling; true connection often feels inevitable despite flaws.
In simple terms: Love may be chosen or felt without choice.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when love is a choice versus a natural bond.
Themes
love
choice
connection
flaws
destiny
Mood
reflective
hopeful
conflicted
Type
philosophical
literary
romantic
When to use this quote
- romantic relationships
- self‑destructive partners
- personal growth
- spiritual beliefs
Key Concepts
free will
emotional intuition
interpersonal bonds
Questions to Reflect On
- Is love a decision or a destiny?
- How do you balance choice with unconditional acceptance?
A Different Perspective
Choosing love can be hard when it involves self‑destructive behavior.