Ah, the ultimate question.
A feeling that not one being has yet to describe correctly. However, it is the one emotion that we, as human beings, long to have, feel, earn, share and express. It is what draws out the good things and the bad, bringing down the mightiest warriors and giving to, even the weakest, great strength. People have written songs, verses, movies, books, sonnets and text books trying to explain this and yet I don’t think a single person has come close to answering it.
Before I give it a go, here are a few examples of the different interpretations of what love is:
Wikipedia says, “Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment.[1] Love is also a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection; and “the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another”.[2]Love may also be described as actions towards others or oneself based on compassion, or as actions towards others based on affection.”
Urban Dictionary says, “love- nature’s way of tricking people into reproducing”
Aristotle says, “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.”
Dr. Seuss says, “When you are in love, you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
Robert Frost says, “Love: the irresistable desire to be irresistably desired.”
William Shakespeare says, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”
Don Foster and Susan Beavers say, “Love isn’t blind, it’s retarded.”
Bo Burnham says, “Love is taking that dive—then getting really comfortable and peeing in the pool.”
So…what do I think love is?
I think love is work. It’s not a carefree fairytale (even though I talk like it is most of the time) or a happy-go-lucky relationship: it’s fucking hard. It takes time to develop, effort to keep going, and lots and lots of mistakes. With love comes learning: especially how to be selfless. When you fall for someone, you no longer have to think of yourself, you have to think about what you say and do in regards to a whole other person’s feelings. Sometimes, you say the wrong thing like, “Uhm, I don’t really care right now.” or pick hanging out with friends instead of dinner with his family, but you will soon learn that you have to make sacrifices.
Also, every emotion is heightened. When you’re happy, you’re on fucking cloud nine; When you’re depressed, you drown yourself in a teary coma; When you’re angry, you give the silent treatment for hours and rant about how stupid they are and then how you regret everything that was said. Your sensitivity to words being said to you by a significant other or the one you love is off the charts. So, with love, you must be careful.
I’m not saying it’s NOT wonderful, because on the other hand (the hopeless romantic side of me) preaches to the world that love is absolute magic. I am currently in the best relationship I’ve ever been in and it has been a roller coaster of emotion and trials and, like I said, WORK.
So be prepared, people.
What do YOU think love is?