There is a quote that I love by an unknown source: "I'm not searching for my other half, because I'm not a half."

I think that the message behind this quote might just be the most important message in the world when it comes to love. Love, in any form, has some sense of dependency on the other person. A daughter depends on her mother, a dog depends on their owner, and a wife depends on her husband. Dependency is very healthy, normal, and needed in virtually any relationship, but let's rewind.

What about before a relationship? What about when you're searching for the right person to complete you? What if you're so worried that you may never find your "other half?" Well, in my eyes, that would be a great thing to never find. I don't believe in finding my other half, because I myself am not a half. I am a whole.

To some this sounds selfish, and to others it may sound arrogant, but I don't care. I refuse to let myself settle for being half of a person. People are good matches for each other, and great matches in some cases. But, not for one second do I believe that people are halves.

More often than not in our society, people want that one person to come along and change everything in their life. They want that one person to fill every single crack and void that you have on your own. They want that person to be the divine solution to their emptiness. That is where people go terribly wrong. YOU are the solution to your emptiness. YOU are the only person that can fill your cracks and voids. YOU are the only person that can change everything in your life.

People have this misconception about relationships all of the time. I myself was guilty of it at one point in my life. Someone magically fixing your heart and making all of your insecurities go away is just not going to happen. You may think it will at first when you are very happy with someone, but if that person happens to go away, so does the "fixed" version of yourself. Therefore, your happiness fades away with that person, and then where are you left? In a million pieces.

It is so vital not to rely on someone else as your source of happiness and security. You can only rely on your own mind, body, and spirit for that kind of complete happiness. It's easier said than done to simply love yourself and all of your flaws and cracks. It is so hard, but it is essential to ever have a healthy, functional relationship in the future. So, love yourself so hard. Love yourself even when you hate yourself. Say stupid things, and don't apologize for them. Take care of your health, mentally and physically. Stare at yourself in the mirror, and tell yourself you are worth it. You are worth more than being someone's other half. You are worth being a whole.