October 2001 - Do You Believe in Love?

If you're not sure, there is a more pertinent question you need to begin with. What is Love?

There are many definitions of love. Webster's Dictionary defines love as a strong affection, a warm attachment, an attraction based in sexual desire, a beloved person, or a score of zero in tennis. What is your definition of love? Is love the ability to communicate and share your personal life with another? Is love the feeling of a mother to a child as she gazes at her child sleeping in the back yard? Is love that chocolate bar just waiting to be eaten? Is love the feeling of an animal friend licking your face when you return home at the end of the day? Is love that feeling of sexual attraction or spark that you have when you first meet someone? Is what you feel inside yourself about another what you would call love? There are numerous dimensions of love, as love reaches many depths.

What about love toward yourself? Do you love yourself? Your ability to love can be shown or demonstrated in many ways. In what form or fashion do you love? How do you show your love? The way in which you express your love may be based on what you could say to or buy for another. For example, candy, flowers, or a sentimental card. Is your expression of love a kind and gentle word or an action
toward another? A hug, a kiss, or even just a simple smile? Is the way you express your love the ability to share thoughts, spend quality time with, or communicate with one another? Is your idea of showing love, always trying to
be controlling? For example, must you always have the last word? Do you know you are right, or just know that you are better than everyone else?

Love seems to be a word that gets tossed around like a beachball at the shore. Love is an emotion that requires immeasurable amounts of Patience and Strength. Go beyond the superficial levels and instead, strive for the deeper depths. My challenge to you, the reader, is this; look into yourself and at your life and see what love really is for you. The hope for all of us as we reach these deeper levels, is a greater awareness and experience of unconditional love. Once we attain these levels we need to express and share them in our daily lives. Don't let time and life pass by at the superficial levels. Don't let your personal score be just a superficial zero.