LOVe

I’m tired of love

Within ourselves is where we begin our reality

By Anton Labos

Love inspires countless stories, serves as the foundation for numerous religions, and pushes each of us to grow closer to one another.

The Harry Potter novels promote love as the most powerful form of magic that can shield one from even the most treacherous elements. Cinema has repeatedly highlighted themes of romance, as endings where girl and boy end up together despite difficulty are seen in movies such as The Notebook and Crazy Rich Asians.

The Church has constantly stressed the significance of love as the cornerstone of its teachings, describing how we must all be compassionate and kind towards both enemy and ally. Islam’s Quran similarly speaks of the affection and mercy that exists amongst individuals, since we are all social beings who require companionship. Even Buddhism preaches unconditional love, the kind where we tend to the fears, needs, and aspirations of others without expecting anything in return.

During this time of pandemic and paranoia, love also plays an ever more present role in how we lend a hand to one another. Every act we take in service of those other than ourselves stands as a testament to the type of goodwill we must foster for the benefit of the greater community.

Media, religion, and our everyday practices have elevated the selfless type of love to an outstanding degree. Although, while being prepared to sacrifice for and cherish others for all their faults surely is the right thing to do, we must not forget to care for ourselves. We need to be able to love ourselves, just as we love others. Otherwise, the manner by which we love may end up lacking in certain respects.

Each of our strengths, weaknesses, and experiences are bound to possess parallelisms with those of others. These relationships may appear tangential and superficial, but further exploration may instead show them to be unexpectedly relevant. Acceptance of who we are can thus aid us in accepting others in the future and pave the way for better connections.

Self-love is particularly essential for our well-being in this age of high-paced competition and innovation as well. Greater life satisfaction can arise from acknowledging that we have an intrinsic worth and potential regardless of all our mistakes. While the rest of the world works like a machine bent on progress, love provides internal and external empowerment to survive and thrive.

“Acceptance of who we are can thus aid us in accepting others in the future and pave the way for better connections”

Delving into our own problems and blessings, however, may unwittingly blind us to the mere presence of others who are similarly capable of and dependent on caring. Those around us deserve warmth as well, and our own issues do not cheapen nor negate their needs. Love for ourselves and love for others must therefore be given proper attention so as to ensure that both the lover and the loved stay stable and strong.

“Love provides internal and external empowerment to survive and thrive”

I’m tired of love being portrayed solely as continued compassion towards others in mainstream media, our religions, and other systems. We can love others more than we love ourselves, yet must nonetheless not forget to love ourselves. We may meet and walk with many along our journey, but within ourselves is where we begin our reality.