On Being In Love
On Being In Love
This post is for those that are falling in love, or perhaps, you are (already) in love.
I was once told that before we are born, each soul has been matched with another soul, and that it is up to us to find our soul mate in life. And if we do, we will find our “true love” (read my blog on How Would I Know True Love). The phrase, “I love you” is used so casually. We say that we are in love, but do we know what being in love really mean?
According to Webster’s Dictionary, here are a few definitions of the word, “love.”
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20love
a (1) : strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties <maternal love for a child> (2) : attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests <love for his old schoolmates> b : an assurance of love <give her my love>
2
: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion <love of the sea>
3
a : the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration <baseball was his first love> b (1) : a beloved person : darling —often used as a term of endearment (2) British —used as an informal term of address
4
a : unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) : brotherly concern for others
Webster leaves much to our own interpretation. To me, when I say I am in love with someone, I want to spend the rest of my living life with this person. You love this person, and this person loves you for who you really are. Not simply because you are attractive, or wealthy, or brilliant. They love you because you are YOU. No need to pretend or hide the things that make up who you really are. Be yourself and they should be themself.
Take things slow and really get to know each other. Your “rest of your life” can be a very long time, and if you don’t really know each other, how do you know that you are truly in love? Sometimes a friendship turns into love, other times it does not, but I believe friendship is where it all starts. If you read my blog, How Would I Know True Love, I indicated that true love cannot be one-sided. When I was young, everything I wanted was superficial. I wanted the perfect 10! And perhaps, I strived to be perceived as the perfect 10 in someone else’s eyes. You cannot find true love by ranking others or ranking yourself. Everyone is unique in their own special ways. Start by knowing yourself then learn to know each other better than yourself, and if you still believe that you have true love, then perhaps you found it.
I have a post titled, What Defines Greatness. One of my hero is Bruce Lee. Many know Lee as a Martial Artist and Action Film Star, but he was also a student of philosophy.
A quote from Bruce Lee on the subject of “love”.
The happiness that is derived from excitement is like a brilliant fire — soon it will go out. Before we married, we never had the chance to go out to nightclubs. We only spent our nights watching TV and chatting. Many young couples live a very exciting life when they are in love. So, when they marry, and their lives are reduced to calmness and dullness, they will feel impatient and will drink the bitter cup of a sad marriage.
Take things slow, get to really know each other, learn what really matters, and if your souls bond, then perhaps you have found true love.
If this post has inspired you, please leave a comment. Let others know, when you know you are “in love“.
