That's a weird question. Or at least that's what I thought of it when my friend asked me that question a few days ago. The answer seems so obvious but it can seem so different to others. The first thing that comes to our minds is "yes" but then in some people, they reluctantly, or rather willingly due to current circumstances, say "no". Confusing?
What does love really mean? Is it just your feelings for another person? Or is it just a first-time swarm of emotions when you think you've met Mr./Mrs. Perfect? Or does love apply to anything else in life? Is it just restricted to living things?
Problems are always there in our lives. Well, there's always the famous saying that life would be dull without problems. Most of the times, those problems seem to eat up the fun and excitement of our lives and we blame it on as many factors as there are around us. Has it ever occurred to you that love is the main cause of our problems?
For example, let's look into work stress. People experience stress because they are put under immense pressure at their work places. And they feel all stressed up because they don't like the job they are asked to complete. In addition to that, there's that ticking time limit that is getting shorter and shorter. Can you see why love is the problem here?
The fact is that many people these days work for the sake of money. They don't and don't plan to live their extraordinary dreams because they're just worried-or scared-that they might not live a luxurious life. At the beginning, no matter what the job, all seems fine because big money's just rolling in. But then, time takes it's toll and they get fed up with the boring stuff that they're doing and feel like they hate everything about whatever is happening. And nothing will seem right.
If only they had chosen an occupation in the field that they love, things would be very different. If someone who has a passion for teaching took up a job as a teacher, they would persevere in all the tasks they do. Instead of complaining about naughty students and tonnes of paperwork, they would find a way to make their classes interesting. All because of the love they have for their job. Doesn't love solve the problem here?
What about relationships? Ever wondered why divorce rates are on the rise when couples spend tonnes of money for their loved ones (which actually sounds like a show of affection for many)? Is it because they don't love each other enough or was it because they lost all the feelings they felt for each other?
In my point of view, many young people think that love is all about the splurge of exciting feelings when they are with their partner. They think that as long as it is exciting, they're still in love with each other. And when the excitement is gone and small arguments surface, everything is finished and it's time to go separate ways. The truth is, that's not the meaning of love at all.
The feelings have to be there but that's not all there is to it. Loving another person is about being comfortable with them. They have to form an understanding with each other. And from that deep understanding comes the act of giving in and compromising with each others needs. When there's a small problem, it's about understanding each other and talking things out. If one party is not doing that, it goes all wrong.
Sometimes, it might seem unfair to us for being the one that's always compromising. But compromise and deep affection for another person is something that comes out of realization and self reflection. It doesn't happen through force or drastic actions. Until that, we should play the role of the wiser one to maintain our relationship and teach our partner to compromise on certain occasions.
Again, the problem can be solved with love. If we just change our perception about love, a lot of things will seem easier. Patience, deep affection, understanding and compromise are all parts of love that we overlook. If your relationship still doesn't work out, that means you just chose the wrong person. And even that is a problem that you could have solved with love if you had loved yourself enough to know what kind of person would be good for you.
Why is our world becoming hotter and heading towards a global climate catastrophe? Don't you think it's because we don't love nature enough? Don't deny that statement because all of us either directly or indirectly have contributed to the state of our world today. And the ones who are really suffering are those poor homeless children, NOT us who always complain that the weather is so freaking hot.
I've banned air-conditioner in my bedroom because that's a small part I think I can play to help Mother Nature and poor children. Whenever I feel like switching on the air-conditioner, I think about the poor, homeless children in Africa who have to experience the sweltering heat every single day without a place to call home.
I may never know them but my love for them is just overwhelming. I always ask myself, "is it right for me to enjoy the cool air-conditioned air when the CFC it releases makes the weather hotter and increases the suffering of those pitiful kids?" Why is it that human beings have become so selfish until causing suffering to others seems like a normality?
If everyone of us could spread our love to the needy, their lives will become much more comfortable. The children would not be robbed of their childhood. Love for the needy might just be catalyst that could change the course of our world. If you're not a coward, ask yourself this question, "Am I really doing justice to those homeless kids who are already suffering from famine?"
I think by now you should already know my answer to the question my friend asked me. Taking that small step towards understanding the true meaning of love might just be the key to solving our problems. Don't you think so???
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