The Lakers - A Lesson in Love?

One of my friends told me that she applied one of my job search tips (June 14 post) to her dating life, and that it worked! Today, I realized that the Lakers, too, provide insight into our love lives (or at least mine).

All day, I've been debating if I want to watch all of the Championship game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. The issue is that I've had too many painful experiences while watching Lakers games. Often, while eyeing the score (especially if it's close or they're trailing), my heart begins palpitating. I swear. My blood pressure ascends, and my stomach feels like I ate a can of bad tuna fish.

But when the Lakers are ahead, (not by too much, cause that's too boring), I enjoy watching. I watch the screen enthusiastically, waiting for Kobe to make some ridiculously difficult shot. But when it's close, then it's difficult for me to keep my eyes on the screen. I check Yahoo! to see if I have any new email messages. I scan facebook for any interesting updates. I work hard to distract myself from the pain I'm experiencing while hoping that the Lakers will win in the end.

I realized that I interact with my love life the same way. If I'm winning, and all seems to be going well with a guy, then I am enthusiastic about him and the situation. I give my undivided attention and I am completely engaged. However, if the score is really close or I seem to be losing (he's giving me mixed messages and he has too many of the signs of the guys written about in He's Just Not That Into You), then I begin to panic. My heart begins to fear breaking and knots begin to form around the tuna fish that definitely is in my stomach.

I want to change the channel - drop him before he drops me. The pain of hoping for something that may or may not happen has become unbearable.

Now, I'm realizing how immature this is. We've all heard that there are no guarantees in life, but I'm seeing that I want there to be. I want to know that my emotions will be safe, and that my hopes (especially the ones closest to my heart) wont' be dashed.

So, what's a girl to do now?

Well, I'll start off by watching all of the Lakers game tonight. I will watch when they're ahead and root when they're behind. I will hope, always.

If I can do it for the Lakers, whom I've never met, then maybe I can do it for the next guy that I'm really into.