Thoughts on Love
Love is...
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, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about Love lately, especially this morning. I find that Love; both Romantic and Platonic (in the more modern sense of a non-sexual affectionate relationship) takes a lot of work. You have to want Love and be willing to work for it, sacrifice for it and cherish it as if it is the only coal you have left to keep you warm at night.
"Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell."~ Joan Crawford ~ (March 23, 1905 - May 10, 1977) Academy Award-winning American actress
If you are in a relationship you have to want it. You have to want to be with the person, no matter what. Because there will always be hard times that string the great times together. We often forget that bad comes with good, because when we look back all we see are the happy times. The fun times. That’s all we photograph in our mind. So when you strip away the money, the vacations, the fancy clothes, and the elaborate gifts- are you left with someone you really want next to you?
“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” ~Oprah Winfrey~ (born, January 29, 1954) American television host, media mogul, and philanthropist.
If, after you’ve stripped yourselves bare, you still feel the burning in your soul- that, my friend, is Love. Love is knowing that you would still be happy even if all you had was each other. It’s knowing that person will change, not always to your liking, and still accepting them as they are. It’s about letting your Love change and mature as you grow, knowing that they too will accept you as you change and mature with it.
“Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, Often hot and fierce, But still only light and flickering. As love grows older, Our hearts mature
And our love becomes as coals, Deep-burning and unquenchable.” ~ Bruce Lee ~ (November 27, 1940 - July 20, 1973) Born in San Francisco, a martial artist, philosopher, instructor, actor.
Love is understanding that we are human and therefore not infallible. We can be weak, but that does not mean we are useless. Just because we can be strong, does not mean we are always useful. One can yield without being weak. Just as on can lead without arrogant strength. Learn and appreciate that each one of you has strengths and weaknesses that the other may not possess. Draw from each other what is needed for each situation in life.
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, While loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ~Lao Tzu~ (6th century BC) philosopher of ancient China and central figure in Taoism
Never confuse Love with Subservience or Abuse. Love will not call you names and expect you not to get upset. Love will not walk on your emotions uncaring. Love will not make unkind comparison. Love will expect to be a partner. Love will expect trust. Love will expect comfort, especially on the darkest days.
"If you would be loved, love and be lovable." ~ Benjamin Franklin ~
Love does not consistently find fault. Love works for happy solution regardless of where the blame lay. Love does not dwell on wrongdoing. Love lives on faith and hope. Where doubt and despair flourish Love withers.
“Faults are thick where love is thin” ~English Proverb~
“Pure love and suspicion cannot dwell together: at the door where the latter enters, the former makes its exit.” ~Alexander Dumas ~ (July 24,1802 - December 5, 1870) French writer. ' The Count of Monte Cristo' and 'The Three Musketeers'
Talk to each other. This cannot be stressed enough. Without proper communication Love dies. Talking is not only voicing your own wants and desires but Listening to those of your loved one. Love requires both of you to shine.
“The first duty of love - is to listen” ~Paul Tillich~ (August 20, 1886 - October 22, 1965) German-American theologian, Christian existentialist philosopher
It is far easier to do a thing part-time. Which is what make Love so valuable. Love cannot be a part-time commitment. For Love to grow as is necessary you must be willing to give all of what you have without losing yourself in the process. This is a sharp balancing act.
“It is easier to be a lover than a husband for the simple reason that it is more difficult to be witty every day than to say pretty things from time to time.” Honoré de Balzac (May 20 1799 - August 18 1850) French novelist and playwright.
Love is one of the most valuable things in this world. It has many shapes, sizes, colors and creeds. It is boundless and endless. It is as perennial as the grass. It can be as warm and peaceful as a summer’s day. And its absence can leave you in the coldest, longest night.
"If you have it [love], you don't need to have anything else. If you don't have it, it doesn't matter much what else you have." ~Sir James M. Barrie~ (May 9, 1860 - June 19, 1937) Scottish novelist and dramatist. Best known for Peter Pan
"LOVE: The irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired." ~Robert Frost~ (March 26, 1874 - January 29, 1963) American poet born in San Francisco, popular, honored frequently
Thanks for reading. And remember, if you decide to copy any of this for your own use, please give proper citation where it is due. ~Robyn Beamer