What Is Love?

An interesting question, and there are many varied answers. There have been many books written about LOVE. Is LOVE real, is it a feeling, is it a desire, is it an act, or is it something that romance writers have invented? What is LOVE??

A friend of mine emailed a result that a group of professional people obtained when they posed this question “What does love mean?” to a group of 4 to 8 year old children. The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. Here are the some resultant quotes.

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love. Rebecca-age 8.

Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs. Chrissy- age 6.

Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired. Terri-age 4.

Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is O.K. Danny-age 7.

Love is what’ in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. Bobby-age 7 [WOW].

If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate. Nikka-age 6.

During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore. Cindy-age 8

My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night. Clare- age 6.

Love is when Mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.
Elaine-age 5.

You really shouldn’t say “I love you” unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget. Jessica- age 8.

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry”.
So as you can see from the various answers that LOVE is not just a feeling or a whim. Love is an action. Something that you do for someone that you love. Is LOVE an action? What do you see LOVE as?

I believe that LOVE is a DECISION. You make up your own mind on how you see things and you act on it. LOVE is the greatest force on this Earth. People will move mountains for it, and even die for LOVE.

There have been many songs written about LOVE and one that springs quickly to mind is, “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE” by the Beatles. The power of LOVE is Extolled and that LOVE is everything.

LOVE is many faceted, there is more than one type of love. C. S. Lewis has written about the various types of LOVE. For a small example love between husband and wife, mother and child, siblings, God’s LOVE, and many others.

LOVE the greatest force on this earth resides in every parent and child. This is why you see many parents go without some luxuries just to make sure that their children are fed and clothed. If there is any foreseeable danger the parents will put their lives on the line to protect and safe guard their loved ones. They will fight tooth and nail to defend their children in all situations no matter what the odds.

LOVE, like anything in this world needs to be fostered and kept alive in all families. All parties involved have to be vigilant. LOVE to young children is basically where you as a parent will have to get into a routine, where you and your wonderful children have some quality time together everyday. This can involve playing, reading, or just sharing about the day that you had. Doing little things that will please one another, does wonders in this environment.

Living in a loving environment will help a child to grow up confident, and have a great self esteem. You will be able to discuss issues and not have fights, for you will have respect for one another. Forgiveness will come easily and your household will be peaceful. Kids will feel secure to take risks without reprisals for they will know where they stand with their parents and how far they can go with certain actions. When LOVE is present there is no fear, children will be able to fulfill their potentials in life.

Andrew Borodin
http://www.parent-child-help.com