The "Broken" Syndrome

I have a post that I've been trying to write for three days regarding the Casey Anthony fiasco...but I've been stuck on exactly how I want to say what is swimming around in my head. Then something happened to me today that made me stop and cry. Then I stopped crying and thought about it. I realized that this was a subject that I've had strong thoughts and opinions on and I've lectured one too many friends regarding it, so I might as well put my thoughts out here.
I've heard too many people lately use the excuse of "I'm broken" in response to how they treat people. You hurt someone, it's cause you're "broken". You disrespect someone, it's cause you're "broken". You lie, cheat, break hearts, it's cause you're "broken". Doesn't matter the reason, something happened in your past that hurt you and because of that, you use it as an excuse to not let anyone else close to you. I have a secret that is going to blow your minds. You won't even know what to do with yourself because your mind will be SO blown. Are you ready? Don't say I didn't warn you.
Here's the secret, WE ARE ALL BROKEN. We have all been hurt in one way or another. We have all been broken down and beat up in our own way by the opposite sex (or same sex I suppose). It's what makes us unique and gives us the ability to see the good. It helps us to appreciate what we DO have instead of what we don't. Trust me, I'm speaking from experience.
I am about as broken as it gets. I may never have been married (which a lot of my divorced friends hold against me), but I had children with someone and was married in every way except the license, I even had a ring! I was beaten down literally and figuratively, cheated on and treated disrespectfully. I built up walls and swore that no one would ever break them down. I never wanted to get hurt again. I never wanted to get beaten down again because it hurt down on the ground. Then I realized that if I wanted to be happy, I had to let go. The past had to stay in the past. I therapeutically started writing and it helped tremendously. I focused on the kids and on myself. Then I found someone who stole my heart.
Every guy that I've dated since I split with my kids' dad has had the same excuse, "I'm broken", "I can't give you what you deserve", "I'm not ready for a relationship". If it was just ONE guy, I'd think, ok whatever. But this has been five guys in a row, I've actually started thinking that there was something wrong with me. But I also have quite a few male friends that give me the same excuses as to how they treat women like exchangeable pawns. Well I'm sick of hearing it. It's an excuse and that's all it is. I've used it, I know. It's an excuse to shrug off your behavior. An excuse as to why you're alone, why you keep people at a distance, why you're scared of actually caring for someone.
Life is about caring about people. It's about taking risks. It's about giving someone your heart and allowing them the trust not to break it. What happens when you find someone who makes you feel incredible? What happens when you find someone who fits so perfectly with you that you truly believe they were made for you? Will you allow your past failures to keep you from happiness? I just don't understand how I can still believe that I deserve to be happy and loved unconditionally despite all that I've been through yet other people don't see things the same way in their lives. Yes, I have felt worthless, defeated, "broken". Especially when I've given everything I have to someone and they reject it.
I just want people to realize that I understand that to be rejected, cheated on, beaten, it all hurts. But we have ALL been hurt. And sometimes, when someone loves you even when you're "broken", they're the ones worth keeping around. Because honestly, if they love you when you're at your worst, they will love you even more when you're at your best.