what is love really?

[JimB]

blazinheart said:

If we loved as we felt, then we would not love as we should. There are many, many times in relationships when we are required to love even when we feel no positive emotions towards the other person. That's why love must be selfless and detached from our emotions.

OK, but I think you're talking about the ideal of love, while I'm talking about the actuality of love. Don't get me wrong - I like your ideal, and wish more people would strive for it. But IMO most people experience love as an emotion and treat it accordingly.

And I do believe the responsibility that goes with love is kind of a separate entity. We are all responsible for our actions, regardless of their motivations. If love were to influence you to treat someone badly, that's not love's fault - it's yours. And the reverse is true, as well - if love influences you to treat someone like gold, you, not love, get to take credit for that.

[blazinheart]

jimb said:

But IMO most people experience love as an emotion and treat it accordingly.

I don't think people can experience love as an emotion because love is not an emotion. They may think they're feeling love, but love isn't something you feel, it's something you know you have in you, regardless of feelings. But I digress.

If love were to influence you to treat someone badly, that's not love's fault - it's yours. And the reverse is true, as well - if love influences you to treat someone like gold, you, not love, get to take credit for that.

Totally disagree with this jimb, and i'm surprised to see you write it. If we treat someone badly, it's not love that influences us, it's jealousy, insecurity, hate, vindictiveness, spite, bitterness or some other flaw of human nature. But not love. Love allows us to rise above our human flaws and be, for another person, what they need us to be.

[Sass]

Is there really love? I am beginning to wonder here lately!