Let's separate the principle of love
from the idea of romance.
Dependency attachment is a source of confusion.
Many people who would like to be in love
place their hopes in romantic attachments.
Regardless of the suitability of the match,
they cling to "love" as an answer to the loneliness they feel.
A difficult concept is the need to love as an individual.
Each person needs to accept love as a personal lifestyle.
Some defines love as the desire to aid another in his
or her spiritual growth.
This meaning frees love from the prevalent idea
of romantic attachment.
A loving person can love others without the expectation
that the relationship turn into romance.
An understanding God's love allows us to accept ourselves.
We need to become free from critical self-judgment
and find room for healing and growth.
Only then can we accept, appreciate
and love others with the same benevolence.
With these perspectives in place we realize
we need to love others in general
before we can have real love for another individual.
If we have real love, it is not exclusive to one person.
We should be able to feel love for all,
while experiencing romantic love
in a special relationship with our loved one.
But any amount of contempt toward others
that we hold in our hearts prevents us
from partaking in God's love for all His children.
With the perspectives of God's love,
love for one's self and others,
we will be able to recognize aspects of love
in our closest relationships.
Love is manifest in every aspect of our interactions....
