What is love? A recurring question asked by humans over the generations. A lot of people have come up with their definitions of what love is. Some approach it logically, some approach it emotionally while others approach it psychologically. But what truly is love? For eons, people have acted based on their definition of love. Some act rationally, and some act irrationally. A number of people attribute their vices to the act of love, others attribute their virtues to the act of love. That begs the question. Is love a good or bad emotion or is love just neutral?
Apostle Paul’s definition of love In the Bible, according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 states, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” In psychology, love is defined as a multifaceted concept that combines emotional intimacy, commitment, compassion, and mutual growth. Some psychologists state love is placing someone else’s needs above yours. But at the end of the day, being selfish is also love. For instance, if you preserve yourself, love yourself, set up boundaries, and don’t put yourself in situations that affect you in the long run, that is self-love, the ultimate form of human love. So truly, what is love? People spend a lifetime chasing what the idea is. The fortunate ones discover it at an early age while some are unlucky to not truly experience it till the end. They are unable to navigate what emotions they truly feel. In matters of relationships, people attribute fondness, likeness, infatuation, and compromise for love. Although all these feel good and make sense, are not the real definition of love. In friendships and camaraderie, people mistake loyalty for love. They tend to mistake the saviour complex for love. So at the end of the day, what truly is love? My definition of love, as a writer, is having an emotion so deep, so pure, that you can’t attribute or base it on any specific thing. Just knowing that you want to care, be present, vulnerable, and be the best you can truly be for another person. For me, that is love.
Love is kindness. For example, if your leader sits down and does what’s truly right for the nation, that is love. Love equals patriotism in this context. If your fellowship leader uses the offering to feed the poor people instead of lining his pockets, that is Love for his creator and his fellow man. In a religious context, Love is unconditional. According to John 3:16, states that “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believed in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” That form of love is the ultimate love of all, The Agape Love. To love unconditionally and purely, without conditions. And then there’s filial love. Love for your neighbor, and friends that makes you go the extra mile for them, without expecting anything back because you know, at the end of the day, they also got you. And then there is Eros; Love for your romantic partner. Love so deep that you just care for them. Makes you just look in their eyes and say, “I love you” and mean it. Love that makes you want to be there for them and love them in the way that they want to be loved. Whether it’s an act of service, physical touch, or quality time.
To get a better understanding of what love is, I decided to tap into different perspectives of what Love means. I spoke to multiple artists to get to their definition of love and here are some of the things that they could say.
““Personally, I believe God is love. I show people love by being the best representative of God wherever I find myself. So whatever is required of me positively to make someone’s day better, to make an impact positively as God would have me do, I think that’s what I’ll do. I believe God is love and whoever we are with, whether it’s family, whether it’s our relation, whether it’s a cherished loved one, I believe the whole essence of it is being the best representative of God for the person. Being there for the person, offering the support, laying down, I mean, all the sacrifices that you can do, because I mean, love is sacrifice. But ultimately, God is love. Yeah, big love. Keep streaming AratheJay everywhere and I’ll catch you. Peace.”
“So to me, Love is selflessness and just being there for somebody. How I show someone I love them is just by giving. I love to give, whether it’s time, or food because I love cooking for them. Happy Valentines”
“I can’t really define love and I don’t think any word can define love. I think love is an expression, a really strong expression that can only be shown. I show people that I love them through my words, my lyrics, and my music”
“Love is beautiful, Love is Magic. I believe there are so many ways of expressing love. It can be words, gifts, or anything. My definition of love is presence. I believe Love is about being there. Being present in someone’s life speaks so much volumes to me. That is how I express my love. That’s how I express love to my friends, family, and all the people around me. Love is presence, Be Present.”
Jamz
“To me, I define love as consideration. Love, ultimately, is consideration to me because you can’t claim to love someone or something and don’t consider it in your thoughts, actions, and just in the way you move generally in life. It’s for all types of love; Agape, romantic, parental.”
“To me, love means inclusion, thoughtfulness, caring about the next person, and helping them build themselves. How I show love is by giving and being there for the person that I love.
“Love is a magical feeling. It makes you sing and dance. It makes you cry and also makes you. With how I show my love, I am old-fashioned. I love love notes, dancing in the rain, and flowers. That is how I show my love.”
Freddie Gambini
“To me, love can be a lot of things like affection, intimacy, and commitment. There’s no one word to describe it. How I show love to people is through care and commitment.”
Insvne Auggie
“My definition of love is being there for someone even at their lowest point. The way I show love is through gifts, communication, and stuff like that. Basically being there for someone when that person is at their lowest point. I feel that’s where true love shows
Wellingta
“I would say love is an intense feeling of deep affection and it can go from a romantic feeling to a platonic bond between friends and family. I show love through acts of service, spending quality time together, words of affirmation”
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