Since I'm the Jaded One, I'll share how I feel.

I do believe in love.

But, I don't believe I will ever take people for face value any more.

And I will look at what a person does, as opposed to what they say. I think there are a whole lot of really dysfunctional people out there, and there are more than enough liars.

I'll be more interested in overall character, as opposed to how they make me feel.

My jadedness will cause me to be very very cautious.

At this point though, I just want to be single. I get lonely at times, but not lonely enough to risk having someone possibly screw up the life I am carving out for myself. I like my life, it is good and getting better, and I will NEVER lose my security over a man again. I think that it is entirely possible that I will eventually move on to a point where I decide not to be in a relationship again. There are a lot of things I want to do, and can do, that are not conducive to a relationship. I am coming to believe that being coupled up is not all our society cracks it up to be. There are a lot of good things about being independent and single.

...Love sings when it transcends the bad things....without love I won't survive...

I need to believe that love (true love) will will allow us our flaws (trust issues) and that I have been badly hurt is simply a part of who I am now. The other life stuff, security, finances, children, is more complicated of course, but love is pretty simple - I'm hopefully optimistic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB0GiY9CUMk

yeah, what else is there

I have said it before and I'll say it again, "If you have loved, you can have love again" One has to be open and willing. I know I will love again, as I have had my heart severely broken 3 times and each time after I heal I find love again. That kind of love that make one giddy, nervous,excited, anxious, when they walk into the room, or I see them after even a short absence.

Now that I am older the opportunities are less but I will find love again. For me loving with all my heart is the only way I know how to love...that has it bad points but the good far far out weighs the bad.......

There is a poem by William Butler Yeats.."When You Are Old"...and a line in the poem reads..."But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, and loved the sorrows of your changing face". ...For me, that poem is about being loved for who I am on the inside. It's about being able to look back on your life and "know" that at least one person in this world understood. So, yes Chrissy, I believe.

I , too, believe in love. True love?? I really dont know what that means. I believe I loved as much as a person could...wasnt enough for him. but I have to believe that was his problem and not mine.
I know my daughter is experiencing a "true love" and I am happy for her and not trying to dissuade her.
I am instilling the need to be independent and to be able to stand on your own 2 feet financially. I failed at that myself and am learning how at 52. I would like to spare her a "few " years!!!

I do think you can love at any age. Again, not sure what "true" love is. But I know I am not near ready yet to find it . I dont believe that all people are as screwed up as my stbx.
Chrissy you seem like a "love magnet" and if its what you want...i know you will get it!!!!
;)

I believe in true love. I don't know if I believe in lasting love. I am a person who loves all the way, come what may. I think there are "deal breakers" but I trust myself to know I wouldn't fall in love with someone who possessed my "deal breaker" so if I fell in love again it would be forever. Problem is you have to find someone who feels the same. It has (unfortunately) been my experience that men are only as faithful as their options. I realize its not every man, but none the less it is the men I know. I don't want to be bitter, or cynical, just cautious. Nothing I would like more than to love and be loved. For now, I am content to work on me.

At this point in time, I'm not interested. I don't want to start over in my 50's. I'll go for companionship when and if I ever get divorced.

Chrissy, you know how I feel! I absolutely whole-heartedly believe in love!
I'm one of the few that this experience hasn't left me jaded as much as it as educated me. At 41 I've learned so much about myself, relationships, love, trust, and acceptance. It has NOT been a fun ride and it ain't over! But I'm open to the lessons before me, even when they hurt.

My heart is full of love and I'm sharing that with family and friends. Keeping it warm and ready for when someone worthy of the Zen comes along. A sweet DS friend used that term and I really like it! So now all men in my life must be "worthy of the Zen"!

Oh, yeah.
I even still believe in marriage.

I am not going to throw away a few million women just because of one.

And as a comedian once said, if I go bi, I can have TWICE the chance of getting a Friday night date!

I believe in loving again, because I am. I have been with this warm and wonderful and compassionate guy for two years now. When I first met him I was scared to death. I did not trust easily. I told him this and he said "that's ok....you are worth waiting for". Of course, as lovely as that sounds I didn't trust it at first! It's a process. Truthfully, I still have my moments of "this can't be real....what does he really want here....becaue it can't be ME". I think this is more about a crushed self esteem than trust. I am cautious, independant, and don't believe in marriage anymore. But love? My therapist says I deserve all the love I can find. So..for now...with this man...I enjoy the moments. And one more thing. The more I am able to take care of myself and not NEED to be with someone, the more I can enjoy those moments. I know if we didn't last I would be fine.
That is a good feeling. I know when all is said and done, I can only count on me and God.

At this point I am not sure. I thought I had it with the stbx, thought she was the one I was gonna get old and grey with. However, since it turned out otherwise I am not sure what to think.

I have conflicting feelings here. I'm not sure if I can ever love another woman as much as I did her. I don't think that I can ever totally trust another woman again. I do feel very jaded now and don't know if it will change.

Hell, I'm wondering if I will ever be able to sustain another long-term relationship period. I just don't know.

I am certainly not ever intending to get married ever again!!

Right now I am questioning everything...was anything real??? does true love exist??? I dont know, I used to believe a marriage meant something. I want to believe it but right now...nah!

I am a true romantic and I do believe in true love. Not all men and women are the same, granted I wont be as nieve as I once was . Someday love will find all of us when we are least expecting it. Not sure if I will ever get married again but I do believe in love and I know I want it again someday.

yes whole heartedly......to not would mean he won and that wont happen....Zen that just made me smile!!