Dear Alice,
The definition of 'Emulate" is - to strive to equal or excel usually through imitation.
How often do we imitate the ones we love? My answer is...often.
Occasionally when we are in a couple or merely dating we find qualities in our mate that we wish we had, and we begin to emulate them, sometimes, without even realizing it.
For example, if a woman is dating a more assertive man, she, herself, will begin to be more assertive. Over time she may be less likely to cower and more likely to defend.
The Emulation can come in different forms. In the gay community in the late mid to late 70's, emulation was at it's height. A hypermasculine image was in play. Men would hit the bars and the street in tight white t shirts. ridiculously tight blue jeans, construction boots and of course the requisite trait of the time a THICK mustache. They looked like this in hopes of finding a man who wore tight white t shirts, ridiculously tight blue jeans, construction boots and yep a thick mustache.
As long as emulation doesn't progress to obsession, this can be a perfectly healthy lifestyle change.
Ask yourself, do I emulate the characteristics in my partner that i'm most attracted to?
Dahling Alice, even I am guilty of this. during the summer of 2009, I was in the throes of a mega crush on WWE superstar Carlito Colon, and to emulate that particular object of sexiness, i let my hair grow to ridiculous girth. Yes, my puerto rican papi had a big afro, and I had to have one too. I perfected the hair and devilish grin, but i stopped short at spitting apples in peoples faces.
So Alice, who have you imitated or shall i say, who are you emulating, now?
Until Next Time,
Hugs, Kisses and Emulative gestures,
the King of Xtreme
