In the spirit of Valentine’s Day it seems appropriate to write about love. The history of Valentine’s day suggests confusion. The Romans and the Christians don’t seem to agree on the facts. None the less,, the holiday still revolves around love and Hallmark has made it the second largest card giving day, second only to Christmas.
Love, love, love, whatever does that mean? I decided to start with “Googling” the definition to see what the web has to say about love. I found several definitions largely related to suggestions such as passionate affection, personal attachment, and sexual desire. The word could be used in many forms as well so those definitions varied slightly.
My desire to define love is really a personal quest. I can read all the books, all the history, and analyze all the details, but I am left with an emptiness. That emptiness drives my quest to feel love. My quest to feel safe and secure. My desire to feel complete. Those feelings are stimulated by having people to rely on. For example: a spouse for companionship and raising children, friends for fun, children for hugs, or even pets for comfort.
Given the romantic aspect of Valentine’s Day I feel compelled to write what love looks like in a relationship. For me, love is accepting me just as I am. Finding me attractive, appearing interested in my activities, laughing at the crazy things I sometimes do, complimenting me on my many attributes, and enjoying my sarcastic sense of humor enhance feelings of love. I also feel loved when my partner can be dependable. When he does what he says he is going to and when he volunteers without my asking for help. Relationships require respect which to me means being honest, faithful, and committed to doing whatever is required to find peace. Love also means forgiveness and letting the past be just that. Love means spending time with me, making time for me and making me a priority. Living in just this moment and having fun. And not because I asked or because of what we are doing or where we are at but because being with me is where he wants to be no matter where it is because together we can find have fun and find peace.
There are numerous other examples and multiple other types of relationships. I would encourage you, my readers, to define love and what it looks like, feels like, and what is really required in your relationships to feel satisfied.
I would also suggest that you think about the idea of needing love. Do you need love from another person? Can you find and feel what you need all by yourself? Where does that feeling of love come from, what happens in your brain to stimulate those feelings?
A few love quotes:
“One word frees us of all the weight of life: That word is love.” Sophocles
“If you want to be loved, love and be lovable.” Benjamin Franklin
“There is no remedy for love than to love more.” Henry David Thoreau
“Love is the irresistable desire to be irresistably desired.” Mark Twain”
“The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love and to be loved in return” Unforgettable With Love, by Natalie Cole
Love to you all!!!
Amy McCae 