Now this is some Twilight I can get into...
The truth is I was curious. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. I wanted to answer the question once and for all: Team Edward or Team Jacob?
I watched the Twilight movies. And I’ve been finding little pieces of glitter all over the place ever since. Edward may be stalking me, people.
But he’s out of luck.
Because I’m no Bella. And I’m here to implore you not to be a Bella either.
Why? Because here’s a girl that ditched her friends and stared out a window for months because her boyfriend moved away–a guy, by the way, that she’d only known for a relatively short time and who treated her like she was five and couldn’t take care of herself. And how did she snap out of it? By running to another guy knowing full well she was still hung up on the first one. And at some point she even jumped off a cliff for the relocated boyfriend.
Really?!
Yes, it’s fiction. But don’t tell me you don’t know girls like this. Or even a little bit like this.
Listen to me: You do not need a guy to be happy. You do not need a guy to be whole. You do not need a guy to matter. Or a girl, if that’s the way you’re made.
You are all you need.
Love is wonderful. It’s a primary need in life. But have a life that you draw love into; don’t make a life built around love. As important as it is, love can ebb and flow. People leave. People die. It’s a shaky foundation. When love leaves it hurts no matter what. The trick is not to let it destroy you. Bend, but don’t break.
Build a life around you. Your friends, your interests. And when you do find that guy (or girl) who makes your heart beat faster, bring him into your life, don’t drop it all to make him your life. It’s tempting. It can even be delicious while you’re in the midst of it. But if things don’t work out, you may have nothing left.
You are all you need. A great love is the icing on the cake. And believe me, if you live with passion, if you do what makes your heart sing and keep people around that inspire and support you, love will come. It will seek you out. Kind of like Edward seeking Bella.
Except not nearly as creepy. Or glittery.
About Megan Gordon
whoa. i really needed to hear this today. thank you.
Twitter Name: demip90x
Oh, I’m so glad it resonated with you. Go forth and be fabulous, girl.
Twitter Name: msmegan
Great post! So true. I learned this the hard way, but did learn it.
I learned the hard way, too. Of course there was no Internet then… ;)
Twitter Name: msmegan
Fabulous! Thanks so much for reminding us!
You are welcome! Thanks for reading.
Twitter Name: msmegan
Amen.
Twitter Name: ssfrigerio
And I didn’t even ask if I could get one… :D
Twitter Name: msmegan
Preach it, sista! “…a guy, by the way, that she’d only known for a relatively short time and who treated her like she was five and couldn’t take care of herself.” You’ve just outlined exactly why I always thought that Bella had issues (always, not just in “New Moon”) and why Edward grates on my nerves.
I’m not saying that anyone who identifies with Bella has issues. I’m just saying that Bella should be used as an example of what *not* to do in relationships, or at least TRY not to do.
It’s not always the easiest thing to avoid, but I hope that teens realize that their world doesn’t have to end just because a relationships does.
Twitter Name: JWMoxie
Exactly! I think my eyes did a 360 in my head every five minutes during each of those movies. Oy.
Twitter Name: msmegan
Exactly. A character whose only ambition in their entire life is the person they’re hopelessly in love with is just sad. And not a role model.
It is sad, and I can’t understand what girls see in her.
Twitter Name: msmegan
thank you! i have read the books and see some of the movies, but have never really gotten the appeal. yes, it is just fiction, but it still has a big influence on how young girls think. and so thank you thank you thank you for coming up with a way to put this into words. because it’s what i’ve been thinking this whole time.
I’m glad I could put it into words for you. Thanks for reading!
Twitter Name: msmegan