Love is a complex, powerful feeling that is central to many people’s lives. It can be experienced in many ways, from intimate partner commitment to simple acts of kindness. It can be a source of deep happiness and intense sadness, depending on the context.
For most people, the word “love” conjures up feelings of romance and a sense of closeness and connection with another person. It can also feel like a drug, with your brain lighting up in areas associated with reward and pleasure when you think about that special someone. This is because the hormones that are released during the intense romantic phase of love can have similar effects to those experienced when you take cocaine.
While it may seem as though we are wired to love one another, the precise cause of this love isn’t fully understood. Researchers have a number of theories, however. Some believe that love is not an emotion at all, but rather a basic physiological drive. Others believe that it is a mix of primary emotions, such as attachment, jealousy, and desire.
The initial feeling of love is triggered by proximity and propinquity, which is the sense of familiarity that comes from being near a person or thinking about them often. It is further fueled by desire and the sense of being wanted, and it can be intensified by social influences such as expectations from friends and family and the expectation that you will reciprocate your partner’s affection.
Once you’re in a relationship, your love for your partner can grow from pragma to agape, which is based on giving and selflessness. For example, when you give your loved one an extra serving of their favorite food or tell them a secret, you’re showing agape love. This is the type of love that Jesus embodied when he gave up his life for his followers.
When you’re in a state of pragma love, you value the other person’s happiness as much as your own and want to make them happy. This is why you will do things for them that you wouldn’t necessarily do for yourself, such as helping with the housework or letting them borrow your favorite sweater. It’s a logical way to show your partner that you care for them, and it can help keep the flame of pragma alive.
When writing about your characters’ love, you can give your readers an inside look by describing the way they look at each other and how they touch. You can even let them see their flaws and imperfections, as this will give your reader a more realistic picture of what it is like to love another person. This can be a powerful way to hook your audience and keep them invested in the story.
