Valentine’s Day is here, and the (young) hearts are overflowing with (mushy) love. But is love confined only to young hearts or just limited to man-woman love? No. Love is an all-encompassing human emotion that touches all hearts, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity and all that jazz.
Love as a journey
Love is not something we can simply arrive at and expect to stay. Instead, it is a continuous journey that requires effort, understanding and growth. Love is not a static state but rather an ongoing process of learning, compromise and connection. It teaches us to be patient, kind and forgiving as we navigate the ups and downs of relationships. Ultimately, love is not just a final goal to be reached but a beautiful journey that we must fully embrace and cherish every step of the way.
Embracing imperfections
Love is not about finding someone flawless but rather about embracing their imperfections and loving them unconditionally. It challenges the notion that love should be easy or perfect and instead highlights the beauty in accepting and loving someone despite their flaws. It encourages us to look beyond surface-level qualities and see the true essence of a person, flaws and all, and to choose to love them regardless.
The power of small gestures
Love is not always about grand gestures or extravagant displays of affection but rather the small, everyday actions that show someone you care. It's simple moments like a gentle touch, a kind word or a thoughtful gesture that truly make a difference and strengthen the bonds of love. These little things may seem insignificant, but they carry immense meaning and significance in relationships, demonstrating love and care in the most genuine and heartfelt way. Love is found in the small details, the subtle gestures and the quiet acts of kindness that speak volumes about our feelings for one another.
Love as action, not words
Real love is more than just empty declarations and sweet promises. True love is shown through our daily actions, the way we treat others with kindness and respect, the effort we put into our relationships and the sacrifices we are willing to make for the people we care about. It is easy to say “I love you”, but it takes true commitment and effort to show love through our actions. Love is not just a feeling but a choice we make every day to demonstrate our care and affection for those who matter most to us. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Self-growth and reciprocity
Love is not solely about searching for the perfect partner but rather about self-improvement and being the best version of ourselves for someone else. It emphasises the importance of personal growth and self-awareness in creating meaningful and fulfilling connections with others. By embodying kindness, compassion and generosity, we not only enhance our own lives but also become the kind of person that others are naturally drawn to and want to build a loving relationship with. Love is a mutual and reciprocal exchange that requires both parties to invest in themselves and each other in order to flourish. Remember, you don't love someone because they're perfect; you love them in spite of the fact that they're not.
Making moments count
Love is not a mere tally of days passing by, but rather the quality of moments and experiences shared with someone special. Love is about cherishing each day and making the most of every single moment. It is about being present, showing appreciation and creating meaningful memories together. When we focus on making the days count, we truly understand the depth and beauty of love in all its forms.
Letting go to grow
Lastly, love is not about holding on; it's about letting go. Holding onto something too tightly can actually hinder a relationship or a situation. Love requires trust, patience and the ability to release control. Letting go allows love to flow freely, to evolve and to grow. It is about accepting that some things are not meant to be and having the wisdom to know when to walk away. By letting go, we open ourselves up to new experiences and, ultimately, allow love to flourish in its most genuine form.
Beyond physical intimacy
Love is also not about too much physical intimacy. To quote Marilyn Monroe, “The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space.”
From personal to universal love
And when love sublimates, it sublimates into universal love. To quote Dr Martin Luther King Jr, “I have decided to stick to love... Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Mankind is in need of this type of most sublime love that teaches us to embrace all and sundry sans an iota of prejudice, bad blood, anger and rancour. He who fights is powerless, but he who loves is power itself. Everywhere you turn is an element of sharing and sending love. Be universal in your love. You will see the universe to be the picture of your own being. Remember, every act of kindness spreads peace to the world, love to the heart and light to us all. Kindness is the highest form of prayer, for it reflects the inner longing for universal love. You are in love with your own reflection of the universe.
Sumit Paul is a regular contributor to the world’s premier publications and portals in several languages.
