LOVE VS RESPECT
Hello dear steemians. You ever wondered how similar, yet distinctive these two concepts are ? How they affect a relationship, and also, are one's actions, a result of the latter or the former ?
In as much as the two concepts are very much germane in building a quality relationship with someone, I believe that a lot of people do not actually know the difference and can’t really tell them apart. If someone is being mild towards you, can you tell if it’s out of love or respect or both ?
Let’s take a look at their definitions.
According to the Advanced English Dictionary, love is “a strong positive emotion of regard and affection”. Love can also be defined as “a strong sense of affection and liking that an individual displays towards another”. There are various factors that may influence the love you have for somebody. You can develop love for somebody as a result of your bond/attachment with that person, though it is a feeling that grows overtime, depending on how valuable the person is to you. Nevertheless, love comes naturally and most times you don’t necessarily need a reason to love somebody and the same way can be felt about a stranger.
But can you say the same for respect ?
Respect is the admiration you have for someone because of their qualities or achievements. Most times respect can be shown in your behaviour towards someone as a result of their position or influence. Many a times, you can be forced to show respect to someone in as much as you don’t admire the person.
WHAT IS REALLY THE DIFFERENCE ?
Both Love and respect are of profound importance in every and any strong relationship but I personally think that respect carries that relationship in the long run. Love cannot be forced upon a person i.e you can't force me to love you no matter how much you try. But I may not respect you today yet i may be obliged to do so tomorrow due to a recent achievement of yours.
In many romantic relationships, what really makes either of the couple to commit to the relationship is not the love they have for each other, but the respect they have for what they have and share. Respect goes beyond politeness and civility. The law of diminishing return is something that applies to almost every concept, including love. Meaning, you may not love me tomorrow as much as you love me now but my qualities and the achievements I have made especially with you in our relationship is something you might respect enough to still commit to the relationship despite we not having the initial “vibe". Lol, shout out to everyone who’s still loyal.
All these being said, it is of my opinion that mutual respect is what makes a relationship durable and mature.
Thank you,
@sage.lee.