Love
“Love is like the wind; you can’t see it, but you can feel it.” Nicholas Sparks.
The day after Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to reflect on love—not just romantic love, but the more profound, enduring kinds that shape our lives. Love in all its forms—kindness, compassion, self-acceptance, and connection—continues beyond a single day of celebration. Today is an opportunity to consider what love truly means, how it influences us, and how we can nurture it in our daily lives.
It is one of my favourite books; I tend to reread it every few years. In Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl shares the following insight:
“A thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life, I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth is that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love.”
This profound statement by Viktor Frankl suggests that love is not just a feeling but a transformative force that can heal our lives.
If love is central to life’s meaning, it explains much of society’s suffering. Studies on criminal behaviour have shown that, in most cases, it stems from experiencing love withheld. Similarly, when individuals struggle with a negative mindset or depression, the root cause is often a life devoid of love.
Research shows that people who struggle to experience love often face significant challenges in life. It can be hard to define, explain, or even control. But at the same time, love—whether romantic, familial, or brotherly—can be a source of deep inner strength, helping people endure hardships, overcome challenges, and remain steadfast in difficult times.
The love we experience, especially from others, shapes our sense of worthiness, yet we only accept love as much as we believe we deserve it.
Love is not just a feeling we receive but also a verb. It is something we actively participate in. When we engage with the world in a way that fosters love, it returns to us, filling any void we may feel. Once embraced, love inspires personal growth, encouraging kindness, compassion, and deeper understanding.
In its various forms, love gives life meaning and purpose. It's the driving force behind our actions and the source of our deepest joys and sorrows.
The most rewarding thing you can do is often a simple act of kindness, decency, or love. As Mahatma Gandhi reminds us, “Where there is love, there is life.”
Love cures and forgiveness frees. Understanding this dissolves resentment and self-blame, creating space for love and healing. Whether the enemy is external or internal, forgiveness transforms, allowing love to flow. Love, in its purest form, can heal wounds and mend broken relationships. I love this quote from Martin Luther King Jr., “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”
Those who experience love at the deepest level live blessed lives. As David Viscott shares, “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.”
And from a young boy speaking on Kids Say the Darndest Things…“Love is when you share your French fries and don’t expect any back.”
Inspiring Things
MUSIC: Pianist Alice Sara Ott - Field: Nocturne No. 9. Beautiful.
LIFE: A moment that changed me: I hated my job. A mug of homemade stew set my life on a whole new path. Click Here to Read
PHOTOGRAPHY: Bird Photo Winners for 2024. Click Here to Enjoy
