Lauren+Z’s+OpEd+Article

“Love and Jealousy” By Lauren Z

Why is it always the things we can’t have, that we want the most? The house down the street with extra rooms and the pool, the brand new car three spaces down, or that special someone who is already involved with a significant other. The grass always seems greener on the other side, and the things that, in reality, don’t matter, seem to matter the most.

What’s done and over, what can never thrive again, won’t. People become so obsessed with what will never be, even when they see the impossibility of the whole thing. Often this disparity appears after a relationship (or hope of a relationship) dies. As soon as there is no foreseeable chance, affection grows even deeper and soon the unrequited love turns the lover into a raging, overprotective mess. Even for years, people can foster this anger and while hating that individual, they will never stop nourishing their love at the same time, keeping this secret only to themselves. This confusion of emotions only worsens the problem, as the lover spirals downward into a pit of lies. Friends go along keeping the unwritten rule, and are forced not to get involved with the object of their friend’s love and hate. But all this only leads to nonsense. People cannot claim a person, especially one who does not have attachments to them in return. In this situation, opportunities are completely wasted and results are devastating. While maintaining respect for a friend’s feelings is important, this protection and defensiveness is completely immature. If a person acts in this way, they are clearly not ready to even be in a relationship.

With relationships and jealousy constantly intertwined, nothing but lies and secrets can come of the giant knot which humans create. In this state of tension, following the heart can become discouraging. But even greater can be the pain of not taking a chance. Feeling that glimmer of hope but not acting can only lead to regret. However, fear can cast a shadow over the dimmest of hopes and pressures of friends will wipe out this fleeting thought.

As teenagers, we are told to “seize the day,” to follow our passions, dreams, and loves. Yet, human nature often creates boundaries in which this cannot be done without hurting someone else. If I can’t follow my heart without hurting a friend, what’s the point in having a heart at all?media type="file" key="laurenz-muckraker-0910.mp3"