The word love has many meanings and connotations, from simple feelings of affection to the intense emotional commitments exemplified in marriage. The various types of love are the subject of art and literature through the ages, as well as scientific study and discussion. Some of the most well-known examples include romantic love, motherly love and platonic love. Love also has religious significance and other spiritual dimensions.
For most people, the term “love” is associated with a relationship or feeling of attachment to another person. This form of love has many facets, such as romantic attraction, parental love, friendship and adolescent love. However, a deeper type of love is also possible, and it is often misunderstood. The spiritual love that God has for us, as demonstrated by His sending His only son to die on the cross for our sins, is one of the highest expressions of true love. This love is selfless and sacrificial, not self-gratifying like narcissistic love.
When you love someone, you do not focus on what they can give to you but rather on how they can make you happy. This is not to say that you do not appreciate their good qualities; in fact, a person’s attractiveness can be a source of intense desire and attraction. But loving a person involves accepting them as they are and accepting that they will have flaws, just as you may have them.
Often, when we are in love, the feeling seems to come on suddenly. During the initial phases of falling in love, it is not uncommon for a person to become giddy and feel a rush of positive emotions around their crush. This is due to chemical reactions in the brain that are associated with this type of love. These initial feelings can be a wonderful experience, but they do not necessarily last. Ultimately, it takes more than the disappearance of these feelings or a change in circumstances to end a relationship that is based on true love.
In the end, the best way to show your readers what love is truly about is by showing it in your characters’ actions. While it might be effective to tell them how two people feel, allowing them to see that love through their actions will draw them into the story and keep them invested.
Trying to mold a man into your idea of what love looks like will never work, but you can communicate with him clearly about what you do and do not want for yourself in the relationship. Then he will have to decide whether he is in or out of love with you. If he is, the bond will endure no matter what happens in your lives. If he is not, the relationship will eventually break apart. But, the right choice can lead to true happiness. This article was adapted from a Deakin University blog post. The Conversation AU is funded by the Australian Research Council.
