Choosing Love

love

ləv/

noun

1. an intense feeling of deep affection.

As humans, love is something we all naturally crave. Not only that, but we need it to survive. It’s what makes parents care for their children, otherwise, the youth would die on their own. If the children die, then our species dies. It seems so strange that a feeling can be at the core of our survival. Sometimes, there is a fear of loving or being loved for many different reasons. Issues like trauma, neglect, depression, and anxiety can all hinder one’s ability to show and accept love. Even if these attributes show in small forms, they can have a big impact on future relationships.

Everyone at times can have a hard time loving, and feeling lovable. It is important to be familiar with the concept that love is an active choice. Yes, we fall in love in many ways and in many forms, but choosing to actively love someone needs to be a constant choice. For example, in a marriage where two people don’t make time for each other, there are usually higher rates of partner dissatisfaction, which can lead to larger problems or the end of the relationship altogether. These types of situations happen way too often. People assume that because they have solidity in their relationship, they no longer have to be engaged in the other person.

As mentioned earlier, love is a choice. We need to understand how to show love in a relationship (and that also involves the understanding of how THE OTHER PERSON ACCEPTS love) and choose to take the time and make the effort. Life will always be “in the way” and it is not going to suddenly clear up. Act now before you find yourself regretting you did not try harder to be an active part of someone’s life. This does not just pertain to romantic relationships either. It applies to family and friends as well. Generally, we know that you are supposed to put in an effort to maintain relationships. We sometimes tend to neglect our friends and family too because, again, we assume we have solidity. All types of relationships require effort and compassion. 

While not all relationships are meant to last, we should still give them the respect and attention they deserve while we can.