These Questions I Must Answer

The Forest, Mixed Medium, 9 X 12

When searching for a lover, what must I seek for?

Where should I start looking? How do I explore?

A long list of criteria, hoping to find someone,

A soul to connect with, maybe he will be "the one".

What I need to understand is I must ask the right questions,

Can I be honest with myself? Do I know my expectations?

What is most important? What values do I carry?

How much shall I impart? How much is kept in secrecy?

Will I fall in love with myself, if I was the other person?

Do I find myself attractive? Do I accept my own perversions?

Will I embrace my uniqueness, and all my eccentricities?

Am I proud of myself? Do I welcome my disabilities?

Will I surrender all my dreams just because others won’t approve?

Do I need constant validation? Do I worry when others disapprove?

Will I even respect myself when others don't treat me well?

Can I ever be true to myself? Will I ever come out of my shell?

Do I know how to listen? Can I communicate myself well?

Am I able to handle conflicts? My ideas, can I sell?

Do I know how to set boundaries to protect my inner space?

Do I stay calm and peaceful when things go out of place?

Do I even love myself in the true and utmost form?

With all my faults and shortcomings, can I seize my inner storms?

Will I proudly carry the baggage of the present and the past?

Will I believe and keep faith that struggles never last?

These questions I must answer before I search for that someone,

To ensure that I have healed my wounds before I find "the one".

For I attract only whatever it is that I radiate,

Life will only match whatever is on my plate.

Breathe, I remind myself, for I am my greatest critic,

Detaching from old samskaras as I erase my inner cynic.

Finding the way out from the forest of my past,

Unromancing its seduction as I put an end to its lust.

Will I ever find "the one", true love that is forever?

Finding myself first, that must be my first endeavor.

Acknowledging past hurts, as I open myself to healing,

With consciousness awaken, no longer am I dreaming.

Accepting my truth as I believe in myself,

Loving all that I am is the power in itself.

Love will find its way at God's perfect time,

When mind, body and soul are perfectly aligned.