What Is Love? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

What Is Love?

Well, it is why we are here.

725
What Is Love?
We Know Your Dreams

As I sit angrily in my bed as the clock reaches midnight, the song "What is Love" rambles through my head. I feel too often our society that we are blessed to live in, forgets what the purpose is: to love. We are called to do this simple task but it seems to be a not so easy task with everyone we meet.

There are many different forms of love, to name a few: there is love of oneself, love of neighbor and even romantic love. What has been really bothering me, however, has been love of neighbor. Often times these four little letters l-o-v-e are mistaken for four different letters l-u-s-t. To truly love is to be selfless and to lust is to be selfish. This distinct difference is what drives our society apart, our houses and our so called friendships.

When you’re selfless in your friendships, you want what is best for that person. Whether motivating them in doing their work or calling them out when they messed up. Messing up is normal. It is in our innate humanity to mess up, if we didn’t mess up, life would not be interesting. When someone truly loves you, they will point it out. Not because they are judging you or mean, but because they realize the importance of your growth as a human being.

If you ignore someone's genuine concern or acting out of sheer personal desire, that is lust. Lust in and of itself is selfish and purely focused on your individual desires, clearly disregarding those around you. Sometimes what you want as an individual is not what is best for you. Yeah, I want to eat four dozen chocolate chip cookies but that's probably not what's best for me. A good friend, out of love, would hold me accountable and remind me that eating four dozen cookies is not good.

Just imagine a world where there is no accountability. Where there are no repercussions for ones actions. That world would be run to the ground quickly and it would be hard to find true happiness. When people close to you hold you accountable, they do it out of love. They want you to be the best person you can be and sometimes a little tough love is what is best.

This accountability thing should be happening on a daily basis. This does not just apply to love of one's neighbor but in every little tiny crevice of one's life. To be happy, and I mean truly happy, we are called to love. If that means that accountability for your actions comes in and dampers what you think you want, well, so be it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

184292
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

10753
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

454932
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24757
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments