What I Like About Love

Love is one of the first concepts a child understands yet it also is an idea that takes us a lifetime to master. As we have more experiences with love in all forms, we expand our definition to encompass its many forms. We realize that it has no limits, no file storage maximum. We discover that there is no better feeling than new love and nothing as painful as love lost. We learn that gripping onto love with jealousy or fear only dampens it and that love grows in a medium of acceptance. We find that giving love is the same as receiving, just like you cannot give a hug without also getting one. Our definition of love changes and grows with each passing season. The word that prompts a concise definition from a child now takes pages of discourse and dissection.

Love refuses to be pinned down.

To be distilled into the least common denominator.

Love is messy and grand.

We seek it yet we also hide from it, fearing its loss.

We idealize it.

And yet we often fail to recognize it.

We want it.

And yet we act in opposition to it.

When it comes to love, we are still students.

Exploring. Wondering. Seeking. Learning.

And that’s what I like about love.

Elizabeth Gilbert, of Eat Pray Love fame, wrote about how love has changed for her since her divorce and second marriage. I related. You may too.

Thank you for sharing!

6 thoughts on “What I Like About Love

  1. Aurelia – My name is Aurelia (pronounced Ah-real-lee-ya) and I am a 40-something year old woman on a voyage to stay true to who I am. I’ve spent so many years being the person others wanted me to be and I slowly lost touch with myself. I’ve been through many ups and downs in life and in January of 2013, I began the process of filing for divorce after 17 years of marriage and literally started to rebuild my life from the ground up.
    Aurelia says:

    I absolutely LOVE this!! It made me think and smile! Thanks

  2. Jennifer – Albuquerque, New Mexico – First off, I am not very funny. Secondly, I am a full-blown geek; I like chess (it is my favorite game), I enjoyed writing research papers in college, I enjoyed statistics and any other kind of math. But, in my old age (47), I have learned to own my geekdom, it is uniquely mine. Third, I have manic-depressive illness which can make life a bit rocky sometimes, like when the medications are not strong enough to treat the illness, then it bites me in the ass…..hard. Most of the time, though, I ride the sine wave that are normal moods. It is an interesting disease to have though. You do a lot of self reflecting and exploration which can be rough, but you can see where you have made mistakes and you can take action to prevent that behavior in the future. Fourth, I have learned how not to settle for anything; bad medical care, toxic and angry people, bad food, bad relationships. I just will not settle anymore. I have already been there and done that. Fifth, I have learned over the years it is not cool to puke through your nose because you drank too much at a party or a bar. Sixth, I love to read everything from fiction to non-fiction to school textbooks. I do not remember learning to read. My mom says when I was about 3 or 4 years old, I picked up National Geographic and began to read it. Who knew? Seventh, and possibly last, I love music of all types except Rap. My favorite music to relax to is classical preferably of the Baroque period like Amadeus Mozart and Beethoven. I love going to the movies by myself. If you go on a Monday afternoon matinée, there is usually no one there so it is like having your own private theater. I am also a Nichiren Buddhist by way of spiritual belief. I am basically just a normal person who happens to be not funny :) .
    songtothesirens says:

    Hi,
    I just wanted to drop by and let you know that I have nominated your blog for the Most Influential Blogger award. You can accept or decline, but if you do choose to accept here’s the link: http://galaxybounce02rabbithole.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/nomination-most-influential-blogger-award/

      1. Jennifer – Albuquerque, New Mexico – First off, I am not very funny. Secondly, I am a full-blown geek; I like chess (it is my favorite game), I enjoyed writing research papers in college, I enjoyed statistics and any other kind of math. But, in my old age (47), I have learned to own my geekdom, it is uniquely mine. Third, I have manic-depressive illness which can make life a bit rocky sometimes, like when the medications are not strong enough to treat the illness, then it bites me in the ass…..hard. Most of the time, though, I ride the sine wave that are normal moods. It is an interesting disease to have though. You do a lot of self reflecting and exploration which can be rough, but you can see where you have made mistakes and you can take action to prevent that behavior in the future. Fourth, I have learned how not to settle for anything; bad medical care, toxic and angry people, bad food, bad relationships. I just will not settle anymore. I have already been there and done that. Fifth, I have learned over the years it is not cool to puke through your nose because you drank too much at a party or a bar. Sixth, I love to read everything from fiction to non-fiction to school textbooks. I do not remember learning to read. My mom says when I was about 3 or 4 years old, I picked up National Geographic and began to read it. Who knew? Seventh, and possibly last, I love music of all types except Rap. My favorite music to relax to is classical preferably of the Baroque period like Amadeus Mozart and Beethoven. I love going to the movies by myself. If you go on a Monday afternoon matinée, there is usually no one there so it is like having your own private theater. I am also a Nichiren Buddhist by way of spiritual belief. I am basically just a normal person who happens to be not funny :) .
        songtothesirens says:

        As a recent divorcee, I find it inspiring that you were able to get through your “rough” period and come out ahead and stronger for it 🙂

  3. Nora Locke – Texas – Who I am is always a loaded questioned answered with what I do. I mother, I befriend, I believe in God, I love, I encourage, I breathe one day at a time.
    Nora Locke says:

    Perfect!

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