Since I first stood up straight without my corrective shoes during
the Mickey Mouse Club, television has been a huge part
of my life. Truth is that I can never get enough. The TV is on essentially
from my first waking moment to when the timer switches it off after I've fallen
asleep.
I started watching General Hospital when I was nine years
old. The daytime drama pattern endures fifty years later: As soon as two of the
show's favorite characters finally make it down the aisle, someone is in the
wings to wreak havoc on their relationship.
Although they conclude more succinctly, movies aren't much
different: Kismet, angst, unrequited, requited, unrequited again, then eventually
into each other's arms to live happily ever after. (No doubt some computer generated imagery will
also include an explosion or alien invasion.)
Amazingly, we tend to think it's romantic to have our love lives
play out like these stories: That difficult, torturous, gut-and-soul-wrenching experiences
are prerequisites on the path to eternal love.
But in the midst of all the craziness, we ignore a very basic reality: Without the intense storylines, there is no story. Without the tedious, drawn-out adventures, lots of people aren't working.
But in the midst of all the craziness, we ignore a very basic reality: Without the intense storylines, there is no story. Without the tedious, drawn-out adventures, lots of people aren't working.
It is wise to remember—and inform our children—that
Hollywood's version of romance is not reality, it is an illusion. Relationships may have obstacles and certain
dramas (aka life events) will naturally occur but we don't need to cry an ocean of tears to
achieve love. In fact, it's often far more organic and usually kind of simple,
sometimes even boring. But that's okay.
Because, ultimately, one of life's most precious gifts is to
find someone we can trust and with whom we can be our true selves. Believe me
when I say that there's no script for that.
