Potential

It's interesting that when you meet someone you begin to look at them in terms of "potential". In physics, "potential" is defined as: "The work required to move a unit of positive charge, a magnetic pole, or an amount of mass from a reference point to a designated point in a static electric, magnetic, or gravitational field" (ha ha - they said "pole"). But, contrary to physics, there's no quantifiable way of measuring "potential" in people.

I'm preparing for a third date tomorrow with a really cool guy. Throughout my preparations (which include the purchasing of a new skirt, top and shoes), I've been referring to him as "the cute guy with potential". It appears that people know what I mean when I say it but I still can't help but wonder how I've come to this conclusion. And what is he "potential" for? A boyfriend? A boy toy? A husband? A new shopping buddy?

I was talking to my guy friend, Richard, about this, because, as a woman, I am forced to over-analyze everything. I just couldn't figure out how we come to the conclusion that someone is "potential" and how it's measured. "Potential" has to vary from person to person so how is it so universal?

Of course, being a man, he had an answer that was simple and clear as day. He said, "Rachel, 'potential' is something that meets your expectations. And some things can not be measured, deal with it."

AHA! That makes so much sense!

Like our expectations, "potential" in people and relationships mutates and changes constantly but it always (or should) remains constant to what we are searching for as an individual. Two women who are best friends can meet identical twins with the same job, same education, same personality, etc., but, since both women have differing expectations and relationship goals at that moment, the "potential" will always vary. But it always infers (in my opinion) a positive connotation - hence it being universal.

One thing I need to learn and comprehend is that unlike physics, human relationships can not be quantified. It's just not gonna happen. Measuring "matters of the heart" (pardon the disgusting cliche) is like trying to make a square fit into a triangular opening (I was going to use other shapes but it got a little phallic and that's not where I was trying to go with this - for once). Perhaps that's the beauty. We know someone or something has "potential" but the beauty is in the mystery of just what that is.

So, I'll continue to say that this new man, whom we'll call Hercules, has "potential". And for now, I'll stick with fourth date potential because I'd really hate to get ahead of myself. God knows I've NEVER done that before.

Keep your fingers crossed. ;)