Tuesday, September 21, 2010

National Singles Week

Is being single the new adultery?

That's the headline of this Marie Claire blog post, an item that made me do a mini version of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" dance in my cubicle.

What a coincidence! It's also National Unmarried & Single Americans Week! Woo hoo! Who's buying the keg?

Once I finished dancing, I contemplated the Marie Claire blogger's thesis.

She points to a 1968 novel in which a character says adultery "is a way of giving yourself adventures. Of getting out in the world and seeking knowledge."

But the blogger notes that since the aforementioned novel was written, divorce has become more acceptable. Now, you don't have to cheat to find adventures...you just embrace single life.

I've never understood the tendency to view single life only as a time of desperation. It's a great time to learn about yourself and embrace habits like 10-minute conversations with your pets.

However, some people are naturally more adventuresome in the company of a love interest.

Just as being single isn't your only chance for life exploration, entering a relationship doesn't make you resigned to a future of frozen dinners and TV movies.

Bottom line: If you only define ambition in terms of your romantic status -- or lack thereof -- you're bound to remain stagnant.

Got it? Good.

Now if you'll excuse me, there's a certain Beyonce dance move that needs fine-tuning.