The Definition of Love
This is the month best known for Valentine's Day. This could have two main effects on you. Either you love it, or you hate it. If you're in a relationship, there may be expectations built up, and if you're not, there may be some sadness, or loneliness. So how can we celebrate the month of love? First, let's define the word, LOVE. After all, we love our grandmother, and our puppy. We love pizza and chocolate.
What is love really? According to the Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, the definition of love is, "strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties." Dictionary.com says,"a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person." They both also define love as an attraction based on sexual desire. Webster's goes on to define it as "a person's adoration of God." There are other definitions, which vary on these three basic themes. But does love always have to be directed towards someone else? The dictionaries don't mention the love for oneself.
And what about children? They do not love based on sexual desire. They love for the love of love. My definition of love is beyond the printed definitions. I believe there is much more beyond these simple definitions. Perhaps love is something like God. It is so big and powerful that it can't be defined. Love can be tender, love can attract and create desire. Love can drive someone to kill. Love sounds complicated.
Perhaps we have overused the word so much we have become immune to its real meaning. I think we should ask children to define love. (Or perhaps they already do.) Children know what it means, and they know how to love whole-heartedly. Perhaps love is undefineable. Maybe it can be shown or described, but not defined. The clearest explanation of love for me is found in the Corinthians 1:13 Love Verse:
"Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
This beautiful love verse can help us in dealing with ourselves. (How can we love others if we don't love ourselves?) If we can apply this verse to ourselves, then perhaps we begin to grasp the magnificence of love.
If Valentine's Day innerves you, then see if you can treat yourself to something that will make you feel special. If you are in a relationship, see if you can find your own love inside, so you are not dissapointed if your partner doesn't meet your Valentine's Day expectations. If we all take a moment on Valentine's Day to connect with the vast love inside of ourselves, we might not even need chocolate. (Ok, I won't push it.) Whether you have or don't have a Valentine, you can always buy your own chocolates.
What is love really? According to the Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, the definition of love is, "strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties." Dictionary.com says,"a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person." They both also define love as an attraction based on sexual desire. Webster's goes on to define it as "a person's adoration of God." There are other definitions, which vary on these three basic themes. But does love always have to be directed towards someone else? The dictionaries don't mention the love for oneself.
And what about children? They do not love based on sexual desire. They love for the love of love. My definition of love is beyond the printed definitions. I believe there is much more beyond these simple definitions. Perhaps love is something like God. It is so big and powerful that it can't be defined. Love can be tender, love can attract and create desire. Love can drive someone to kill. Love sounds complicated.
Perhaps we have overused the word so much we have become immune to its real meaning. I think we should ask children to define love. (Or perhaps they already do.) Children know what it means, and they know how to love whole-heartedly. Perhaps love is undefineable. Maybe it can be shown or described, but not defined. The clearest explanation of love for me is found in the Corinthians 1:13 Love Verse:
"Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
This beautiful love verse can help us in dealing with ourselves. (How can we love others if we don't love ourselves?) If we can apply this verse to ourselves, then perhaps we begin to grasp the magnificence of love.
If Valentine's Day innerves you, then see if you can treat yourself to something that will make you feel special. If you are in a relationship, see if you can find your own love inside, so you are not dissapointed if your partner doesn't meet your Valentine's Day expectations. If we all take a moment on Valentine's Day to connect with the vast love inside of ourselves, we might not even need chocolate. (Ok, I won't push it.) Whether you have or don't have a Valentine, you can always buy your own chocolates.
Rosa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping me on your mailing list,even though I have not been back--yet! I enjoy reading your blog which is always relevant.
Shakespeare's sonnet: "Love is not love that bends with the remover to remove, it is an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is not shaken....." this I think embodies your concept of love...happy valentine's day. I hope all your family are well.Eve