It doesn't surprise me that men in their twenties and thirties

"It doesn't surprise me that men in their twenties and thirties are often looking for a much older woman. What is the problem with a man of 30 being with a woman of 50? It is a matter of energy and the soul, not a matter of age of the body." — Monica Bellucci

In these words, Monica Bellucci speaks to a truth that transcends the superficial measures by which society often judges relationships. She calls us to understand that the connection between two individuals, especially one that defies the conventional expectations of age, is not rooted in the physicality of the body, but in the deeper realms of the soul and energy. She challenges the notion that the value of a person, particularly a woman, diminishes as she ages. Instead, Bellucci suggests that there is a vitality and wisdom in age that attracts the youthful, a magnetic energy that is timeless. This connection is beyond the fleeting beauty of youth and is instead a meeting of souls, where the depth of experience and the vibrancy of life come together to form a bond that is ageless.

This wisdom echoes the teachings of the ancients, who placed great value on the spiritual connection between individuals, often seeing the union of souls as the true essence of love. In Plato's Symposium, the philosopher explores the nature of love, suggesting that it is not the body that attracts us, but the soul and the mind. True love, according to Plato, is a search for beauty in its purest form, and this beauty is not confined to the physical realm but exists in the deeper, more eternal aspects of life. When one seeks a partner, it is the energy and character of the person that should matter most, not the number of years they have lived.

Consider the legendary Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, who is often remembered for her beauty, but whose power and allure lay not only in her appearance but in her mind and charisma. Cleopatra had the ability to captivate the most powerful men of her time, including Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, not because of her youth alone but because of her intelligence, her energy, and the commanding presence she brought to every room. Her relationships were marked by intellectual and emotional depth, and they transcended the mere physical. Her allure was that of a woman who embodied both experience and power, qualities that only deepened as she aged.

In more modern times, there are numerous examples of relationships that defy the conventional boundaries of age. The union between Pablo Neruda, the famous poet, and Matilde Urrutia, who was much younger than him, was one such relationship. Neruda, in his later years, found in Matilde not just beauty, but a deep connection that transcended time. He was drawn not only to her physical form but to her spirit and the way she matched his own passions and intellectual pursuits. Their love was built on the foundation of shared values and a mutual respect for one another’s soul and vibrancy, proving that true love knows no boundaries of age.

Bellucci’s words also speak to a broader cultural shift, one that challenges the often rigid and superficial notions of attractiveness and worth based on age. In ancient times, wisdom and experience were revered, especially in women. The oracle of Delphi, revered by all of Greece, was considered the wisest of women, and her power was not derived from her youth but from the deep knowledge and insight she had gained throughout her life. Women were often respected as symbols of mystery and wisdom, qualities that deepened as they aged. The idea that a woman’s worth declines with age is a modern invention, one that ignores the deeper, more lasting qualities that people can offer—wisdom, energy, and a soul that has lived through the highs and lows of life.

The lesson here is one of rejection of superficiality and an embrace of the deeper truths that bind people together. True connection comes from understanding, from shared passions, and from the soul that transcends the body’s limitations. The vibrancy that comes with experience, the wisdom gained over years, and the energy that only deepens with time are all aspects of a human being that deserve to be celebrated and embraced. Just as the ancient philosophers sought to understand the essence of beauty, we must also seek a connection that is based not on fleeting moments or appearances, but on the eternal qualities of love and understanding.

Thus, let us not be swayed by the superficial judgments of age, but instead seek partners, mentors, and friendships that resonate with the energy and soul that make us who we truly are. Let us honor the vibrancy of those who have lived, who have loved, and who have experienced the fullness of life, knowing that it is not the years we accumulate but the depth of our connections that define the richness of our journey. Let this be the guiding principle in our relationships—whether in love, in friendship, or in admiration—and may we live, as Bellucci suggests, with a recognition that true beauty and passion are boundless, extending beyond the limits of age.