What's Love?

Wow. Figure this one out definitively in life, and you "win." To begin, it's certainly not a song from Ashanti worth recalling, but I digress. Here's my take: Beyond the clinical definition, don't confuse being "IN love" with love. Younger people make this mistake all the time--okay, older people do, too. The point is that when people are "falling in love," all is grand...particularly when "love" is new. Music sounds better. Flowers smell sweeter. Stresses go away. And if you're lucky, the sex is fantastic! Over time, though, reality sets in. Is he still "cute" when he leaves the toilet seat up? Is she still the girl of your dreams when you find out she can't cook or puts on fifty pounds? Is he still Prince Charming when you discover he smokes or bites his toenails? Is your mate a keeper if he doesn't have the makings of a pro athlete or rap star?

Love is more than physical attraction. It's a bond that is formed when you realize that you truly care about someone and love them unconditionally and--LISTEN HERE--you are certain that your mate feels the same way. Think of a relationship as a trial run. It gives people the opportunity to sample one another without worrying about alimony!

• Love is not melodramatic. Love is pragmatic.
• Love is not prejudice. Love is acceptance.
• Love does not care about hair color (or skin color for that matter). Love takes delight in all shades.
• Contrary to pop culture, Love is NOT blind. True love requires sight and insight.
• Love is not jealous. Love is confident in knowing that mutual love is always faithful...always true.
• Love is caring for someone when they're sick, or otherwise need you the most

I'll preface the Bibical excerpt by saying I'm a God-fearing man, but I'm not a zealot. People use the term love pretty loosely today. When you say you "love" someone--or think you might want to--consider whether that love would endure through time, or as you and your potential mate grow, evolve, and change. In other words, ask yourself if the "love" you have will persist. I've always thought love has been described best in the book of Corinthians:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13, verses 4-7.

The source notwithstanding, it just can't be said better than that!

Peace,
+THINKER