Often, our focus is primarily on fulfilling our physical needs – ensuring our bodies are nourished, cleaned, dressed, exercised, and rested. We prioritize intellectual stimulation and entertainment, but in this routine, the paramount need for love often gets overlooked.
Certainly, societal narratives do not disregard love. The media consistently highlights the prerequisites for attracting “love”. Yet, being loved does not quench our emotional needs as much as our inherent desire to love others.
The instinct to love and care for others is encoded in our biology. This instinct propels parents to sacrifice sleep, food, and sanity to nurture their children. It inspires individuals to risk their safety during natural disasters and threats to protect others. It is the glue that holds human society together on micro and macro levels.
The act of loving others inspires us to prioritize their needs and desires over our own. It drives us to endure long hours in jobs we despise to provide for those we love. We brave otherwise intolerable conditions to care for our loved ones, young or old.
Love entails cherishing, treasuring, and holding dear. Love does not inflict pain or harm; instead, it seeks to alleviate suffering. It’s not about possession or control; it’s about desiring happiness for others and setting them free.
John Oxenham eloquently describes love as a constant giver, forgiver, and a standing entity with open hands. Love is life’s ultimate lubricant, allowing the wheel of existence to keep turning. Love inspires us to look beyond ourselves, to sacrifice our time, energy, desires, and sometimes even our own selves.
This force often fuels acts of bravery and heroism in every corner of the world, every day. It drives law enforcement officers, emergency service personnel, and soldiers to face danger and risk everything. As Thomas à Kempis said, “Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength…“
Love, in its ultimate essence, isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about doing good. Mother Teresa stands as a testament to this philosophy, working tirelessly for others. Yet, examples of love in action are all around us, if only we choose to see. As Robert Louis Stevenson said, “The essence of love is kindness.”
Without love, life lacks meaning and purpose. Love empowers us to be more and do more than we could ever imagine alone. For as Frank Tebbets said, “A life without love in it is like a heap of ashes upon a deserted hearth…” Love, indeed, is the flame that keeps our hearths warm and our spirits alight.