‘Cheaters never win and winners never cheat.’ It’s a timeless expression that holds a lot of truth, whether referring to a board game or a marriage. For an untainted victory, all the rules must be followed — just ask Tiger Woods.
A renowned loser in love, I have long yearned for the opportunity to share in a blessed relationship with a woman. I would give almost anything to attain one, except for the price of a mail order bride. So I am always baffled by the number of men, and women, who have acquired such a relationship in their lives only to dishonor it by cheating.
Granted, we never really know a person until we live with them, so no matter how nice a woman looks and acts, it may all be a cover of their true self. Almost daily there is news of someone famous who has suffered from infidelity, and we all know someone whose spouse has been adulterous. Even more amazingly, the one who is betrayed, at least from a distance, appears to be a model spouse.
The most recent example is Sandra Bullock, known as ‘America’s Sweetheart.’ Apparently she wasn’t sweet enough to keep her husband, Jesse James, faithful. Again, we don’t know what Bullock is really like when the camera’s aren’t around, but based on her public persona I can’t imagine ever wanting anything more if she were my wife. The same goes for Tiger Woods, married to a Swedish model, and of course, Bill Clinton…well, I can understand that one. However, even in Clinton’s case, the act of betrayal is inexcusable.
My favorite candy bar is a Butterfinger, and I feel guilty if I stray and buy a Snickers. As a result, the Snickers doesn’t taste as good. I don’t owe Butterfinger anything, we have no official commitment to each other, but I just like how they make me feel. If I were to make a vow to never have any other brand of candy bar other than Butterfinger, till death do us part, I would honor that. No matter how much delicious caramel filling and nuts are on top of any other bar, I would not partake. Yes, I may sneak some admiring glances and dream of what it would taste like, but nothing more.
When I meet my human Butterfinger, I can’t imagine having an appetite so strong for someone else that I would risk throwing it all away. Sadly, we seem to live at a time when very little respect is given to the vows of commitment, and our raging hormones are honored more than our spouses.
I may never be able to win a game of Monopoly, even if I cheat, but when it comes to marriage I plan on being a winner by following the rules.
