It's something that perplexed me for some time. Maybe you don’t understand why I was perplexed over this seemingly simple concept. “Love”, after all, is a word we use all the time, as though we perfectly understand its meaning.
Allow me to shed a little light on the subject.
“I love my wife.” “I love my parents.” “I love my friends.” “I love my siblings.” "I love ice cream." “I love my pet rock.”
Do you understand now? We use the word in so many ways, but we never think to define it. How many different loves are there? Is love affection? Is it action in spite of feeling? For a period of time, I tried to figure out love, as though it were a clear-cut concept that could be analyzed and easily defined (which it isn't, just like many of our other most commonly-used words). I failed each time, and I'd eventually come to wonder whether love transcends definition.
Today, I’m not going to address one’s love of pet rocks (although that is another philosophical topic worthy of discussion). I’m going to address the love we have for people, for our family and friends, and all we hold near and dear. Because even though there are many different kinds of love, I have come to realize that there is one overarching definition of love that unifies them all.
I can't really explain how, but eventually I came to realize exactly what love is. This realization didn't come in the form of a sudden epiphany. It was more of a subtle realization that only started to become clear as soon as I had stopped attempting to figure out love like one might try to solve a mathematical equation.
So, what is love exactly?
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
These passages describe love as treating others with consideration and respect. Love is actually rather simple. Love is caring for others. It is willingly, faithfully, and selflessly choosing to seek another’s good and wellbeing over your own.
That is what love is. Love is something—the only thing—worth living and dying for.
Anyway, maybe you already had it figured out, but if you didn't, I hope this post helped you. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone.
Love is a very complex topic, and I decided not to address all of its different facets and nuances in this post (not that I would've been able to) so that I could instead focus on the common thread that ties all of the loves together. What are your thoughts on love? Do you think I got it right? Have you read The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis (which is undoubtedly an amazing book I totally have on my to-read list)?