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April 5th, 2009
I can define love by telling you the things that it is not. I cannot tell you what love is, but only describe the circumstances where I see it. Here goes nothing.
Love is not a feeling, it is not emotion. Joy is an emotion entailed by love, whereas the butterflies in our stomach is a feeling, but that is not love, it is part of the biological experiences that occur whenever we get nervous.
Love is not infatuation, for infatuation is shallow, and it is not based on anything solid. Infatuation lingers, but dies out because of time, because of reasons expelled by the physical world. But love is not like that - rather, love is a result of a complex series of events that happens over a long period of time. It can be said that love is not present in the beginning of a relationship, because love is built up, block by block.
Some say love is eternal, and some say otherwise. I think that love is not eternal, but it is made so because of the commitment one shares with another. The commitment makes you stay together because you have to, but you can choose not to, and leave. But, eventually, love will make you stay because you want to.
Love isn't what the commercialized movies say it is - it is far deeper and profound than anything that will be caught on film. When it is genuine, you can sense it from a mile away.
Love isn't about how much you give. It is about giving, and not expecting anything in return. It is being grateful that you were able to share, even though you did not get anything back. In some way, love is sacrifice.
I think that love is not about feeling good - because the real lovers are the ones who experience pain. I'm not saying that pain is love, I am pointing out that love also entails pain, especially when it is true and pure.
Love does not destroy. On the other hand, it nurtures and brings to life.
And 'ere is love, according to the Holy Bible.
1 Cor 13:1-13
"I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and ven of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching, I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains - but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body ot be burned - but if I have no love, this does me no good.
Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.
Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; these are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; but then what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear."