What Is Love?

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and even though countless blurbs, books, and blogs have been written on the subject of relationships and love, I decided in the spirit of the season to throw in my own thoughts on the subject that has captivated and eluded so many from the beginning of time. Love is a choice and relationships take work, which is something I certainly believe and have also looked to I Corinthians 13 as the premier definition- “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous… it does not seek its own, is not easily provoked….bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…”

That certainly is a good, clinical look at love, but since when is love clinical? I obviously had issues. Love is all of those things, but if it takes work, something is wrong. If you have to remind yourself that love is a choice, chances are you are seething at some wrong-doing or perceived wrong-doing. I have also learned that love is not some epic tale of heroes, fair damsels, and tragedies. How exhausting!

Love is simple and pure. It is to be treasured and protected. Putting someone’s dreams, needs, goals, health, and welfare above selfish desires and doing it effortlessly because it’s what you ultimately want is love. True love is easy, and above all, it is summed up in one simple thought that has been complicated by human fallibility- love is oneness. It is being of one mind, one heart, each individual stepping in union with his partner- there is no higher definition of love.

Those of us who know this as experience are truly the blessed ones.