What is LOVE?

i asked some of my friends earlier today a random question: WHAT IS LOVE? oh yeah.. this may seem like a simple one but trust me, this will definitely make you think a hundred times when thrown at you. so why did i ask such question? some asked me if i am into some deep shit again or did i catch cupid's arrow for the nth time. it's both a yes and a no. i am always in love -- in love with love, in love with falling in love, in love with life. and i won't deny, i  have been a love-believer ever since. that's the reason why i'm stuck at the moment for who knows til when. the question just came to me in an instant. maybe there is a guiding force that wants me to ponder on things and somewhat learn in the process..

so WHAT IS LOVE?

as per wikipedia's definition:

Love is an emotion of a strong affection and personal attachment. Love is also said to be a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection —"the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another".Love may describe compassionate and affectionate actions towards other humans, one's self or animals.

but will this definition be enough? definitely not. i believe one's definition of LOVE varies accordingly. 

for kids - who would ever forget the famous line "GOD is LOVE." ?

during high school days - who did not answer "LOVE is like a bubble gum, kung mupilit makabuang." on a friend's autograph?

for a more mature definition - "LOVE is UNCONDITIONAL" uhmmmm... 

somebody's definition of  love will somewhat show how he has experienced love and to what level of maturity he has gained. cos in the course of getting into a relationship, falling deeply in love, experiencing a breakup, trying to move on and finally reaching the moved on part...one's definition of love will never be the same. 

here are some of the definitions i got today:

"Love knows no reasons. Love knows no lies. Love defies all reasons. Love has no eyes. Love is not blind... it sees, but it doesn't mind. Love doesn't seek what's not there. Love accepts all pains to bear. Love that doesn't die is love we can't see. Love is just waiting for someone even if it turns to an empty sea." - Thayk Ferols

"Love is an unconditional acceptance of another person for everything.. not perfect, bittersweet." - Patty

"Read 1 Corinthians 13... Love is the fulfillment of all things. Love is unconditional... no ifs, no buts, no could-haves nor should-haves. It is giving without expecting something in return. Knowing that it doesn't have to be a two-way stree. It is forgiving and forgetting. It is the fulfillment of all things... Isn't this what life is for? To live is to love?... The most loving person is the happiest. let's spread the love girl." - Lucienne

"Love is patient.Love is kind... Corinthians ;-) ...It does not envy. It does not boast, it is not proud... Love is not self-seeking... Always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres." - Ghedi 

 "Love is accepting who the person is. Love is compromising - meeting half-way. Love is not selfish and possessive. 1 Corinthians 13:4" - Kakai Piloto

 "Read 1 Corinthians 13" - Simsimi

"Love should be unconditional. Not selfish. Love is forgiving. Love is trust. Even if you don't say it often to the one you love, you both know it's there just by showing each other that you care." - Jen White

"for me, love is relative. your idea, your definition of it depends on how you feel towards your "current" person. somehow you try to squeeze it in and mold it to fit the current situation. you paint a picture in your head on how the future and forever looks like with that person. love is acceptance. unconditional and limitless. i guess that's how love works." - Rhodora(rhodoramania.blogspot.com)

"Love is unconditional." - Boyet Alvarez 

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Where there is love, there is peace. True love waits." - Joy

"Love makes you think wiser, gives you strength and will guide you to the right path." - Shiela

"Love is a feeling towards another person. Na gusto nimo makauban ug makita siya always, bahala nag di mo magstorya. Basta kauban ra mo." - Lui

"Love is supposed to make people happy. If you are not happy, then it's not love." - Ingrid 

 "Love truly is a commitment. A commitment to care, to nurture, to help bring out the best in that person and to give the best of yourself." - Shelley

"Love is undefineable (if there is such a term), but definitely, it's more of a decision than a feeling." - a friend who changed her name to anonymous lol

"Love is a strong affection." - Anne Relampagos

"Love is a special feeling that even a good scientist can't explain." - Ian Valdez

"Love is an act of giving yourself to someone whole-heartedly. This is both a choice and a risk. You choose to love and you risk being loved or end up with unrequited love. But love does not stop there. Because the act of loving in itself humanifies one and trancends in so many ways." - Edgie Uyanguren

"Love is the 7 years between where i am to where you are. Boris inspired!" - Den(tutuontherun.com)

" Love is unconditional. Because you should accept everything, go through with him without hesitation, though not recklessly but wholeheartedly. Love is when you let go for the one you love." - Sir Anthony 

"Love is like heaven but it can hurt like hell.-anonymous. Love is patient. Love is selfless. Love is a sacrifice." - Jeni 

"Love can inspire you, hurt you or destroy. love can move mountains, cross the entire universe.Ang Gugma Makalipay, Makabu-ang, Maka Payat og di maka kontrol Maka patay!hehehehe." - Cristina Herrera

"Love is not blind only lovers can not see!" - Uncle Dante

"Te, here's the best definition of love, by my standards - “Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused.” - Paulo Coelho" - April

"Love for yourself. Love hurts." - Chez 

"Love is a decision. It's not all about feelings. Coz that GREAT feeling will eventually change. In time, sweet things will turn bitter and worse, sweet will turn sour. Once you found love, you decide, you commit - long term.. Nurture it. If you won't, then love will fail and the relationship will fail." - Tutet 

"Love is "that" unconditional feeling. :)" - Chabz 

"You can't define love through words... But only actions..." - JPFlo 

"Love is as love does. Love is an act of will -- namely, both an intention and an action. Will also imply choice. We do not have to love. We choose to love." - Macky

"Love is an extension of one's self." - Kittin

"Love is unconditional. Love is unselfish." - Bong Babiera 

so many definitions from different people from all walks of life.. sharing their own definitions of love from within. there are no right or wrong answers in here for love is truly subjective. what may be true to one may be contradictory to another. it all boils down to how you understand it, be it by experience or not.

and here's my own definition of love:

Love is a gift. It is a gift to be shared not kept. Love is making people smile, making people happy. Love is reminding others to have a positive outlook in life. Love is remembering, remembering memories of laughters and even heartaches. Love is being thankful of the past be it painful or not. Love is letting go and setting free of the person eventhough you are still holding on to the feeling. Love is waiting even for uncertainty. Love is loving on the third degree - no ifs, no buts, no reasons behind, you just love and take the risk. Love is loving yourself. Love is giving yourself to others. Love is Niji. LOVE IS SIMPLE. It is everyone around us... family, friends, pets, loved ones, everyone. It is everything we do for them.. plain and simple..  As i always say, LOVE is spelled as T-I-M-E. 

 before this entry will come to an end, i want to leave you all with this...

"But really sometimes we confine ourselves in the realm of romantic love when a simple giving of bread to the old lady in the footbridge is a grand display of love. the hushing  of a crying child, carrying a baby, smiling to a stranger, answering a friend's "What is Love?"... all these things manifest great love for others... There are many things to be happy about. There are many things to be in love about. Let's live it. Live, Love, Laugh."

-Lucienne

--- Let us all be LOVE-BELIEVERS! ---