A report put out by the State University of New York at Buffalo said, "Yes, you can find your perfect soul mate." And then they issued a warning, "It may only exist in your mind." The article reported, "Even if there is no such thing as a perfect soul mate, we can still believe we have found one...Both men and women are capable of developing a very real sense that our partners are mirror images of ourselves. That lets us see similarities that really don't exist. But if we think they exist, then presto! We have a soul mate."

When I read the results of this study on soul mates I had to disagree. I believe one can find and know and enjoy a soul mate, but I don't believe the soul mate is a "mirror image of our character." It's not about finding someone who is LIKE us; it's about finding someone who enhances who we are. This little paragraph got me thinking, and so, here is my idea of a soul mate.

A soul mate is someone who truly accepts you. They may not like all your actions and characteristics, they may not like your temperament all of the time, but for the most part they enjoy you.

A soul mate is someone who overlooks your faults, turns a blind eye to some things, and doesn't point out every little error. They are the person who rejoices with you in your accomplishments and encourages you to reach beyond what you thought was possible for you.

A soul mate sometimes thinks like you, but when there are differences in thought they realize the uniqueness of your point of view is simply a different way of looking at life and not something that must be changed and conformed to their image.

A soul mate is not someone who does everything with you, but they enjoy enough time with you to appreciate the things you do. They have their own time alone with other activities so that when they join you they have something unique to share.

A soul mate helps bring life experiences into perspective by enhancing and balancing the things you look at. They are the safe person you can share your reality with, the one who will offer understanding and love and care, and not reject you.

A soul mate is someone who acts in a positive manner towards you, influencing good in your life, and causing you to grow as a person. They rejoice when you rejoice, and weep when you weep, even if they don't understand why your laughing or crying.

A soul mate is someone who lets you be yourself, who gives you freedom of expression, and encourages your own unique expression in life. A soul mate does not hold on too tightly to their perception of you. They give freedom and offer security at the same time. A soul mate is someone who is not afraid to point out where they think you're going wrong and guide you in a better way.

Sometimes a soul mate is the person who brings chemistry to the relationship. You sense a compatibility and appreciation of will. They recognize there are differing emotions and appreciate the differences.

A soul mate is not about being the same, it's knowing someone who embraces who as you are and enhances what you have in life. It's about sharing in spiritual communication and feeding the soul together.

Soul mates do exist, but while you're out there looking for a soul mate, maybe you could concentrate on becoming a good soul mate.