Love: What is it??

[rapunzel77]

What is Love, exactly? We talk about it. Dream about it but what is Love and why is it the most powerful force? I believe we were made for love. That is why were are here. Love induces us to do the extraordinary. It also is very painful. It hurts. It takes us out of ourselves.

There are different types of love. The most powerful is self-sacrificial. It is what compels a man or a woman to do everything to save their child who might be in a burning building, drowning, or dying of some terrible disease. It can compel someone to do awful things. That is when love can become perverted (we see that so much now).

Love forms lasting and very strong bonds. The strongest that there is in the universe. The love between parents and children, between lovers, between friends.

In order to love, one must love themselves. Not in a narcissistic kind of way, but in a respectful way. The sort of way that wants the best for oneself. No self-loathing. Then and only then will there be any love to give. It is self-donating. It is patient and kind and not given to anger.

We all yearn for love. Some don't find it because they don't give enough of themselves. The reason why is because love is very painful too. It hurts to be rejected, to open one's heart and then to see it abused and mistreated. The pain can last a lifetime.

Love seeks to understand even when you can't. It seeks to See the other person for who and what he/she is.

Love is truth. Love is beauty. This is why we seek it. We all seek love. It is extremely important and very crucial, in these dark days, that we love more. We must. This is the only way that the tide of evil that sweeps through every country with the hatred and disregard for each other and our environment can be stemmed. Only through Love.