True romance is dead. Cause of death? A lot of factors, and I cannot run through all of them at this time.
We are meant to be a more advanced generation of humans. The ones who take various phenomenon and improve upon them. If this was a divine assignment, I would confess, we keep failing. Infact, if we are to be judged on how we have improved upon the concept of romance and emotions, we've certainly failed outrightly.
One of the things that makes us different as humans, is that capability to express deep emotions for another. Emotions of care, of love and affection. But in modern times, we have chosen to act like that ability to feel and express emotions, is a bug that must be flushed within us. We think that it is weak to let another person know how deeply we feel for them.
And I get it. We are uncertain that our feelings would be appreciated, or respected. We know that things may change, and perhaps it is best to be guarded. Therefore, it is safer to conceal how we really feel. But the truth is, love and affection is all about vulnerability. You cannot express your love for another human being, without being vulnerable. It is sad though, that it has become the norm to view such vulnerability as a weakness.
What then happens? Relationships lack intimacy. Unions are commercialized, and misery is all too common. Because we are too protective of our emotions, we do not get to experience true romance. What we get in its place, is meaningless entanglements. Loveless partnerships, and selfish relationships.
True romance is selfless, sacrificing and compromising. These qualities cannot exist in a cautious relationship. I know we may think that, it is on us if we express ourselves, but get hurt in the process. That thought is wrong. If someone takes advantage of such situation, it is all on him/her. We have done nothing wrong.
However, in all these, I am not against protection of ourselves. I do not employ you to willingly be vulnerable to someone who has proven not to be deserving and who nurses ill intentions. Do not be reckless and careless. All I am saying is; do not be a cynic. Let's try to revive the concept of true romance.