Ahhh... we're still defining "Love!"
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tablariddim...
You ain't kiddin' about those pheromones! Chemistry of various kinds can play a huge role in what attracts people, and in what keeps them in a relationship. In that sense I'd agree that it can enhance or detract from the experience of Love, or in the actual
initiation of a "love experience," though chemistry, in this sense, generally applies only to romantic/physical love.
Don't know that I, personally, could ever fully equate "attraction" with
Love, but there are people who do. They swear by it. And if the chemistry should fail, or a "tolerance" be built up over time, then the once convinced person is often prone to believe they've fallen
out of Love.
Some might call this a "Frenchman's" kind of love.
(It has it merits.
)
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SeekerOfTruth and blonde_cupid...
You've both brought up "Love" as it's defined in many bibles.
To some, yes, these concepts are definitive; totally acceptable. For those who don't accept that a god or gods exist, such assertions hold no water, and I doubt that all 'believers' would claim that Love cannot be encountered, experienced, or understood unless it's viewed/defined in these narrow and vague ways.
As for sacrifices, one definition of a sacrifice is: "
Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one thought to have a greater value or claim." And I'd go ahead and say that if pressed for it, this would typically be what most people would offer up as an accurate definition.
For myself, Love does not equal a sacrifice. I see sacrifices as being harmful to both or all parties (or even "things") involved. However, with a few types of people, we might say that a sacrifice is only potentially harmful because people themselves have potential. People can learn and grow.
A "sacrifice" made because there is enough evidence that the other person
will grow and learn--as with our children--is not actually a sacrifice unless the child has given blatant evidence that they truly don't deserve such. It requires us to be very tuned in to the person; to really know what they and/or we are about; to be honest and realistic. Part of what makes parenting such a challenge. Sometimes our offspring simply don't value the same ideas or things that we do, and some never never change their minds even after grown. This may be a bitter pill for a parent to swallow, but if they delude themselves and continue to make "sacrifices" in the name of Love... or a love... that are clearly not valued by the child, then this is not a win-win situation. It can, in fact, be very harmful.
There are numerous scenarios that can be used to explain this kind of view of (or objection to) making sacrifices. Not all will agree or understand what I'm saying here. No problem.
And the same or similar is true with other relationships. And even when we consider non-human or intangibles. Think of the environmental debates--the pros and cons of saving this species or that. "Sacrifices" are made for ideas, ideals, beliefs because of one's conclusion that they love/value a said 'thing.' Those who do reason that their act was a sacrifice might be better off to step back and review their reasoning. Those who claim their act was in no way a sacrifice, may or may not need to do the same. We always need to be aware of what we do and why when a potential sacrifice is involved. "Love is blind" some might argue. "Unconditional love" is true love, others might insist. But such platitudes are improper in my view.
"Love" is goooooood pure stuff in my book. And as Love pertains to relationships, I think it appropriate that "conditions" be applied to my sharing or offering it.
Sorta in the way Riomacleod described it, I will wish "the good" for others, including many strangers. But in the end, my idea of love is one of a
discriminating Love. What I have to share in the way of Love is extremely valuable.
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It's meaning is that of the love of music soothing a savage beast, but love conquering that of negative emotions and factors. If you live your life with negative thoughts of a person, and react like they are true, then that person will one day NOT disapoint you, because they might find that your overwhelming negativity too much to conquer with just love.
Hiya Stryder!
I think you've brought up something essential here.
It could be that when a person exudes "overwhelming negativity" that they are actually exhibiting a lack of
self-love. By inflicting this negativity on others, especially a child, they are in a variety of ways teaching that child (or the victimized party) to undervalue themselves as well. Bad stuff, imo.
I think it's critical that we love ourselves, and I also think this will be the most
individualized Love experience of all. Still, how we value ourselves (or don't) will affect our abilities to not only love anything or anyone else, but our ability to comprehend the multiple meanings of this thing we're calling .... Love.
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Okay, so some will disagree with the above, but that's expected.
~Wishing you all good things~
Counterbalance