What Is Love

What is love? Millions of people say "I love you" everyday, throwing the phrase around without wondering what the word truly means. Defined in the dictionary, love is "a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties". How ever there are many different meanings of "love". There's romantic love; a love between two people, which is considered to be both intimate and sexual. The love between friends, parents and their children, a respectful love for a mentor or hero, a passionate love for an activity a person likes, and the kind of love or devotion to God. To me, love applies to all of the above. I love my family, my dog, my friends, God, writing, reading and music. Each of these however, are different. I don't feel the same about my mother as I do my best friend. That's why I think that love cannot be defined with merely one definition, but Several.

When one first thinks of love they immediately think of the romantic kind. Although I've never personally felt this, I've been told that being "in love" makes your heart beat every time you think of that person, your hands get clammy, you almost feel like you are going to be sick because you're not sure what to say or how to act. When you talk to that person you hope that the moment last forever. Both of the people in the relationship try to make the other a better person and help them to grow. Sometimes you want to put the others happiness before your own but at the same time, you want them to make you happy as well. You love the other person for everything they are, even their flaws. Many different emotions spring up, not always the positive ones, including anger, frustration, selfishness, lust, happiness, loneliness, longing, sadness, and passion. Often being in love cannot be describable. This particular love is a complicated one but a love everyone desires.

I think family is a group of people united not only by blood, but by the love of God! Loving your family is completely different than a romantic love. When I tell my family I love them, I'm not meaning it like I'm in love with them or attracted to them. In a sense, I'm telling them how much they mean to me and how grateful I am that they are in my life. A family's bond can be stronger than any other kind of love. I know my parents would do anything for me and I feel completely at ease when I am surrounded by family. They don't judge you or frown upon your disabilities or quirky behavior. My parents have given me so much because they "love" me. This kind of love is some what like a friendship. Friends provide "companionship, are fun to be with; people you have a connection to. I have many friends who I admire, with each friend different makes me love them in different ways.

When visiting with my friends, we will occasionally bring up our passions in life. Some of my friends dream of becoming an amazing guitarist and tour the world, some want to take3 different forms of art classes while also doodling in their notebook to become a famous artist, some play the saxophone for 10 hours a day in hopes of becoming famous. I know for myself, I absolutely love helping people but not just any people, I especially love helping kids in any way possible. When doing that I can be myself and feel a great sense of joy. This applies to anyone who feels a great "love" for what they do.

 

One of the last loves, and the most important one to me, is the love for God my creator. He actually is my role model for love because he loved us so much he sent his only son to die for us. My love for God is different than loving a boyfriend, a friend, or a family member. As sad as it is, any of these people can leave and break your "love" connection. I know God will never leave me and he shows me everyday how much he loves me. Even people who do not believe in God, "have a love for nature, a love for the earth, and a love for the gift of life, not matter what or who you think made the universe. In fact, I think God sets his standards in the bible for what the definition for love truly is and what it means. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 of the Bible states "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 trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." These words set the tone for any love relationship a person has and will have. The word love is too big and meaningful to be defined by the dictionary.