Paulo Coelho, the celebrated author of "The Alchemist" often mentions in his novels the concept of the union of two souls called soulmates. Though one might have heard of this before, not many are aware of its exact meaning, which is why we have many people calling their best friends and relations soulmates. Though Paulo Coelho was not the first to have found out or to have written about soulmates, he was most certainly the first to have explained the theory, helping a lot of people understand what it is all about. If his concept is to be believed, every soul that ever takes birth in this world is said to split into two halves upon its death, that go on to form two more human beings, which more than answers the million dollar question as to how so many of us live on the Earth today while God created only two human beings according to the Genesis.

With the Tradition of the Sun and the Tradition of the Moon as proof, Paulo Coelho has certainly got a point there, considering the fact that every single person on planet Earth is always on the look out for that Special Someone, who is more like themselves and less like anyone else. Despite the many sayings of how people who are not like-minded and opposites attract, the new regime has seen people fall for someone who has got the same tastes and the preferences, which makes for a matchless companionship.

Though the prospect of searching for the ‘One’ may sound exciting, it is often filled with a lot of pain that is brought about by the loneliness and the shallow relationships that litter the path to harmony. Since the matters of the heart are more powerful and compelling than the matters of the mind, one will have to tread carefully, and what better way to do that than by online dating!

Inspite of the many unpleasant things that we get to hear about online dating, there are a few genuine organizations and marriage bureaus that run online facilities for interested individuals on the look out for that special someone. There are also a lot of couples who have been brought together by various factors such as mutual likes and dislikes, which is precisely the thing that matters the most in a relationship. As such, most of these successful couples are now in praise of online dating services that can bring two people together based solely on their interests.

If one were to speak in all honesty, meeting that special person online is better than meeting them in person right from the very beginning itself, which can completely rule out the importance of personal space and the need to keep your distance. Online dating, on the other hand, give prospective brides and grooms the incomparable option of taking their own time in responding to the moves of the opposite person, all safely within their personal space. If the truth is to be told, online dating also enables you to disconnect with unwanted persons without risking your own personal security, as you would be safe with the knowledge that the other person does not really know you that well.

However, there are a few things that could be of great help when followed while dating people online. Though online relationships are the most ‘in’ thing at the moment, one will still have to approach cautiously as these are, as mentioned earlier, matters of the heart and will do everyone good when dealt with utmost care. Since rejection happens to be something that surely doesn’t go down very well with almost everyone, a little bit of caution will go a very long way indeed, nipping problems in the budding stage itself.

Nevertheless, in a lighter vein, online dating can be fun so long as you do not disclose your personal details unless you are serious. All the same, the icing on the cake is actually the second part of the soulmate theory, which states that there is every possibility of one meeting more than one soulmate in the same lifetime! We will pass that one, with the best of our wishes!