Debate over ad

Today, an article in The Straits Times highlights a controversial debate over the recently-aired advertisement titled "Funeral". Some people are totally turned off by this ad, saying that it sends the wrong message to singles out there, asking them to settle for 'second-best' and imperfection when looking for a life partner instead of encouraging them to go through careful selection before settling down. Others beg to differ, seeing it as simply a moving short film that reminds us that even our partners can have flaws; it's just a matter of whether and how we learn to accept them for what they are.

I agree with the latter view. I'm one of those who'd cry when I watch this ad. The eulogy delivered by the Indian lady never fails to move me, and what's important is that it reminds me of how I should cherish even the imperfections that my partner may possess, because it's these flaws, together with his positive traits, that make up my partner, and without these imperfections, there'd be no him for me to love, and be loved by.

After all, how do we define what's 'best'? How do we know when we'd meet the 'best' person for us? And if we can't even answer these questions with certainty, how then do we know that someone we meet is not the 'best'?

I have friends and colleagues who are single, and have a list of criteria that their 'Mr' or 'Mrs Right' must fulfill. Even when they feel comfortable with someone they meet, they'd shrug it off, saying that that person's not totally their cup of tea, and thus refuse to take any step to develop the relationship further. As time goes by, some of them start to feel that it is increasingly difficult to meet the 'best' person, and even lament about not having pursued relationships with people who were once a part of their lives. Now that these people have moved on with someone else, only regret is left.

Of course, no one wants to be with someone he doesn't fancy at all, but if we feel the right vibes from someone and know him enough to like him for what he's like, why should we keep chasing blindly after an invisible someone who might or might not even exist, and let this present one slip us by?

I guess I'm just thankful that I've found my life partner and have settled down happily with him. There might be times when we have issues with each other, but what counts is how we get over these unhappy times and continue to love each other. (A bit mushy here... *blush*) I was never the type to initiate anything with a guy, and would always go by my 'feelings'. Though I wasn't totally sure about how the relationship would progress when Hubby first told me he liked me, I'm glad I didn't say no to him and was willing to commit to a relationship and work on it with him. After all, I was already comfortable with him as a friend, so why not as a partner for life? :)

Sigh, I do have to count my blessings. :)