What is love?

What is love?

I believe that the most important aspect of human life is love. For some, this may be an simple and obvious statement. However, as an analyzing introvert I have always found myself detached from emotion. I think logically and have a need to understand all the fine details before I can come to accept the intuitive shared conclusion. 

Having studied linguistics, I am fascinated by definitions. I also believe that the simplest answer to many questions is usually the best. In order for a concept to be mutually understood, it must be communicated in a way so that all readers or listeners and fully comprehend the meaning. 

So, I ask you to take a moment and try to define love in the simplest way possible.

I can do it with just two words.

Now, before I share my definition. I would really like you to think about how complex this idea really is and try to imagine how it can vary person to person. Additionally, how can this vary between cultures. And how can this vary between relationships.

Do you love your spouse? Do you love your friends? Do you love your family? Do you love your classmates? Do you love your neighbor? What about people you’ve only connected with over the internet? What about total strangers? What about experiences? What about things?

These are all questions that popped in my head when trying to answer this question. In the US, our marriages are based on romance, however in some cultures they marry based on family arrangements. In one situation, love is established before the commitment and in the other the commitment is established and the love develops. If the result is the same, is one better than the other?

Also, is love just a feeling? Is it just a hormone that is released in the brain when you think about someone you care for? It has to be more than that.

Surely, love is an overused word. We say “love” so much, yet it is so tough to utter the words, “I love you”. What makes that different?

There are an infinite amount of questions and scenarios that could come from this, but I’ve come to the conclusion that they all come down the same result.

Human connection.

That is what love is. We are all human. None of us are perfect. Sometimes, we will fail to say what mean, or mean what we say. Words are not always that important. It is the inner connection that is.

There many ways to connect. And they’re all forms of love. 

As a result, I hope I can share my thoughts and connect with as many people as possible.

Thanks for reading.