On Soul Mates.

I have edited out quite a bit from this quote because there were times when it went beyond challenging my thoughts and sentiments (which I generally try my best to invite), to a degree I felt no longer represented where I feel I am right now. But the rest of this is gold to me at this point in time, and very helpful for finding solace:

"...I think the reason it’s so hard for me to get over this guy is because I seriously believed he was my soul mate. ”He probably was. Your problem is you don’t understand what that word means. People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates come into your life to reveal another layer of yourself to you...shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light could get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you had to transform your life.
...If you clear out all that space in your mind that you’re using right now to obsess about this, you’ll have a vacuum there, an open spot – a doorway. And guess what the universe will do with the doorway? It will rush in and fill you with more love than you ever dreamed." - Elizabeth Gilbert
I have this person in my life, right now. It is immensely painful, and that doesn't even begin to touch it. The part where the author or narrator says "But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful." That part feels like it could be a cop out. What if someone was willing to withstand the pain. What would both people get in return? Or would it just destroy them both.