perhaps love.

we had a TOK presentation in class today, on the question, "how do we know when we are romantically attracted to someone?".
mitchell seems to side toward the idea that we are attracted to a person of the opposite sex due to genetic, biological factors. in which the person we are attracted to appears to be "healthy" enough to be a suitable partner to produce a healthy offspring. to a certain extent, i agree with these underlying subconscious factors in how we choose our partners. it is evident, because for example, (allow me to use mitchell as my example again), there may be girls who find mitchell highly attractive. he's smart, caring, mature (at times), goodlooking, athletic, funny, easy-going, charming...and the list goes on. in fact, he fits in to most of the characteristics of my "criteria list". so whyyy, have i never felt romantically attracted to him? i suppose this is when the "genetic" or "health" explanation fits in perfectly. mitchell and i were simply not compatible for making the "perfect offspring"(that sounded a bit wrong i know, but it made my point clear).

however, genetic factors aside, therein lies so many many other factors. because if genetics was the main reason for a romantic attraction, how is it that i am no longer attracted to the people i used to feel passionately for? their genetics certainly haven't changed. therefore, the genetic explanation is invalid - UNLESS! i never did love them.

now, how do you explain an attraction toward someone you had never met in person? you have not smelled the unique scent of the person, you have not heard the high-testerone-level-deep-sexy-voice of this person, you have not seen the person widen his chest at you as a sign of "trying to appear bigger". heck, you have not even seen a photo of that person. all you have is one mere email, that has merely made you aware of his existence. yet you are helplessly attracted. you are bound. you are almost certain that you love him, before you've even met him. (and when you actually do meet him, you are so pleasantly surprised to confirm that yes, this is the man i love!)
genetics certainly has no part in this attraction right?
so is this what one would term as "a woman's instincts"? or is this a recognition of fate? destiny? a person from your "past life"? what's your explanation? is there one?

i believe that everyone has a certain "the one", that they are meant to spend their lives with. but whether they find this person, recognise (and appreciate) this discovery, and is willing to wait for time to blend itself into this love, depends on individuals. true love is never meant to be easy i believe.

hence, i think.. love in all its simplicity, in all its complexities, in all our meek attempts to define it, to understand it, to put it into words.... love still stands as something that's beyond all of this.