Changes

It's been over a year since I posted last.  So many things have changed..so many lessons learned.  I will speak the truth to you now..those from SL who read this.  RL and SL always mix- there is no keeping them seperate unless you are TRULY committed to not interacting seriously with the individuals online. 
Most of us are in SL, because we are unhappy with our RL.  There is always something missing that we choose to search for there. 
I had a RL marriage.  In that marriage- there was lack of emotional and physical satisfaction, on both our parts.  We rationalized that SL was a way to explore fantasies we could not fulfill for one another..and made it "ok" to have other relationships with other people within the strict rules we placed.  It worked for awhile..it even helped our relationship a bit.  But over time, you begin to find that you get your emotional fixes from other people on there.  The result is focusing less on your RL relationship..to persue your SL ones.  And why wouldn't it be this way?  Humans gravitate to what makes them feel good.
I know my marriage would not have been saved if I had started SL or not.  The issues we have go beyond the infidelities SL enabled us to commit.  But it did not help matters- in fact, it probably deteriorated the relationship faster.  Luckily; in my case, that was probably a blessing.
I do not regret starting SL.  I met so many wonderful people on there..and have learned so many things about myself.  I have been able to explore fantasies I would never have been able to experience in RL.  I do; however, regret that in the end...I did do very wrong things.  Things a married woman should not do..and even though we had an agreement in my marriage- we both offended, the truth is- it was still wrong.
There is a man that I am now interested in persuing a relationship with.  We are both actively in SL..our interactions there keep us together.  My fear, is that once I am single and we decide to take our relationship to RL..will the same internet stuff happen again?  I would hope that we both have an understanding of what SL can do to a relationship...and I think that if our connection is healthy and strong, perhaps the desire to seek other attentions will not even be an issue.
I've found what I'm looking for in him..but that lingering doubt nags at me.  I don't want another relationship to deteriorate because of an online game.  Because in all reality, it's not a game.  There are real people on the other end of that avatar..real emotions get involved..obviously..because I have fallen in love with one such individual.
It's a different world out there.  More and more people are connecting online.  It makes me fear for the future..eventually we might not even feel the need to have face-to-face interaction.
I guess I'm just writing to warn people..the internet can be a dangerous and addicting thing.  It can ruin relationships and cause you to lose sight of what's real.  In the same token, it can introduce you to the most amazing people.  It can open doors for you and..in my case...help you find exactly what you are looking for to make you happy. 
You just have to learn to keep sight of what's real.  Not to get lost in a fantasy..because not everyone is who they say they are on there.  I've gone through a lot of fakes to get to the genuine article.
I just hope..things work out like I want them to.