A friend likes to tease me about how I use the word love. He thinks that I can’t possibly love everyone – even though I say I do! I guess there are different types of love and I know I feel it. But what is love and why do I think I feel it all the time?
What love “is,” is likely one of the most difficult questions for mankind. No one has been able to give one true definition for love. Love is friendship, compassion and kindness. Some think finding passionate love is luck. No matter how you define it or feel it, love is an eternal truth.
While I avoid the religion leanings in the blog, any discussion of love must include this: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. 1 Cor. 13:4-7.
Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was an enormous supporter of “love?” He was a transcendent human being, an emancipator, he executed the power for the goodness of others, to maximize love through compassion. He explored the essential of universal love by exploring the human condition: Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. Think about this for just a minute. It’s an amazing way to explore our every action – our character is the true exhibit of love.
Love should be experienced and not just felt. The depth of love can’t be measured. Look at the relationship between a parent and a child. That love is unconditional and can’t be measured at all.
Even better, love can be created. You just need to focus on the goodness of the other person. If this can be done easily, then you can also love easily. And remember we all have some positive aspect in us, no matter how bad our deeds may be. I really do believe we should love all.
Love can change over time. When I met my now ex-husband, I loved him passionately and romantically. He was my best friend. Now, I love him as much but it’s changed from romantic to a deep appreciation for who he is and what he represents in my life. Love is versatile and complex.
So, with no particular direction with today’s post, I just leave you with this: Although we can’t define it unless we feel it, we can know one thing for sure — true love has no ending.
And, with that, I hope you have an amazing day!
theyearof50 