I
f you are reading this book, it is likely that you have never been married, or have become divorced or widowed.
This is a book that shares the love, the challenges and the unique joys of being single. Whether you are single by choice or by circumstance, these stories will show you that you are not alone.
When we started this book, our intention was to compile a collection of stories that would address the many types of single people - from the twenty-year-old never-married man or woman, to the fifty-year-old divorcee, to the eighty-year-old widower. And we discovered that the opportunities and challenges facing this diverse group of people are numerous and often inspiring.
On the other hand, it’s impossible to talk about being single without addressing the desires that so many single people have regarding relationships. Many single people want to have a good and stable relationship.
Then there are single parents! We hope these stories will touch the hearts of single mothers and fathers everywhere and encourage them on their journey.
One of the most rewarding aspects of working on this book has been discovering the strength and commitment many single people have to making their own lives fulfilling and enriching the lives of others.
Finally, there’s love. Love is the most powerful force in the universe. While we often think of love in terms of a marriage or intimate relationship, it’s very clear that love comes in many forms. And in a world where 50 percent of the population is now single, we recognize that love is not just for those in relationships.
So in the spirit of love, we offer this book to single people everywhere. No matter what your circumstance in life as a single person, we hope these stories open your heart and give you a vision of life’s possibilities. May your path be filled with joy and the magical touch of love - wherever you find it.
JACK CANFIELD & MARK VICTOR HANSEN