What is love, really?
Allow me to propose my thesis - there is something called love.
Let me explain: I define love as an unconditional act. When I "love" someone, I go out of my way to do something for that person without expectations. That means, without expecting a reward in terms of money, favours, sex, whatever.
Another condition to prove love is that whatever you do for the other person must be inconvenient for you. It’s very easy if you buy something for someone with your spare change. You did not make any sacrifice. Anyone with the means to satisfy another person can claim it to be an act of "love".
Love is really a sacrifice. Love is when you give up something you have or want for somebody else’s sake, even though you feel the pinch. It can be your television programme, your hobby, your lifestyle, your career, even your life.
You can love both men and women (let us not talk about animals or objects or ideas) - there are no boundaries to love.
In a world that has become systematically pragmatic, it is very difficult to find examples of love. Why should I do something for you when you don’t do anything for me? Today, we think first of ourselves, then of others. This will have very dire consequences for society. Humans who do not look out for each other cannot weather crises.
There are many implications of not loving. Do you not consider the person behind you on the escalator, waiting to move while you hold hands with your partner? Do you not consider the driver waiting at the lights while you saunter across the road on a green man? Do you think that public transport may be better for the earth, or do you buy a car anyway for your own convenience?
Love is about the other at the expense of the self. It has nothing to do with romance, friendship, companionship, or barter. It is not about win-win situations. It is really about making the world a better place, a more human place - if that is what human means - to live in.
Of course we could say, "that’s not how our businesses were built, that’s not how our nation was founded." But of course, I am ever idealistic, and of course, there is always this thing called love.
May 31st, 2006 at 10:04 am
Love is unconditional, as the Bible truly advocates in all its readings and by the story of the Son of God’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross for all mankind (who love and hate him alike)
But does this same unconditional love apply when it comes to bgr?
Can one really give of himself totally and freely?
To give till one feels the pinch?
Till it hurts as some say so?
Isn’t there a contradiction in this case? How can I love my partner uncontionally, not expecting anything in return >> freely loving him >>> but sometimes loving till it hurts? Can there be free love in getting hurt? If there is a cost and strain to it?
Perhaps for the Son of God. But how difficult for us!
And how does one reconcile giving selflessly with sacrifice and yet feel peace in the heart? Peace is now married with pain, hurt and disappointment in some cases.
Is this possible?
I would like to look at unconditional love as giving because I choose to.. from the heart.. and not simply a thing of the mind.. not a recall from what it SHOULD be because my faith says so nor because this is what I interpret from the Bible. Love BECOMES unconditional… 100% pure only if the act of giving is done w/o strings attached.. totally. W/o having to think through the busy mind that this is the WAY IT SHOULD BE.. but rather, that the HEART SAYS SO AND SO IT IS.
God gave us a heart to feel, to experience his love.. ever so REAL and TANGIBLE.. so FEEL him, EXPERIENCE HIM. Give our tired minds a break.
Unconditional love is GIVING FREELY FROM THE HEART.. not taken out, processed and stuffed into a can of sardines to be presented as a gift to your loved one. True love comes from the heart… and that is where God speaks to each one of us… privately and earnestly.
June 4th, 2006 at 8:23 am
Yo man…you can view my blog at http://www.kgb-ben.blogspot.com Cheers dude!
July 11th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
Love can never be explained in my opinion. Yes, the bible has stated its meaning, but so has many other books, music, movies etc..
Its only human nature to define it the way we choose to define it. Whatever we can get to properly explain ourselves and our actions when we do something for someone that sometimes seems insane.