11/3/09 04:48 pm - What is Love?
Have you ever returned to a place, after being away for so long that you forgot any pain or hurt associated with it? Only then to be reminded very quickly why you left? Within moments feeling as though you should never have returned...to such an unwelcoming place.
Sometimes...it's not a place that creates that feeling of unease. It's a person.
Often...the people we are closest to.
Those we love, or want to love. But whose love hurts in return.
Lately, this has been on my mind a great deal. The question of, why is it...people most often hurt those they claim to love, those that are supposed to be the most important, the most protected? Please do not tell me it is because love and hate are two sides of the same coin. While I am aware of that...I refuse to believe that abuse of any kind is acceptable or a form of love.
And to be clear, I am speaking of 'intentional' hurt not 'accidental'. Because of course, flawed as we are, it will inevitably happen that as we cross paths with others, there will be friction and misunderstanding. Humans seem to have a great difficulty recognizing other egos. Or rather, conceding that ours is not the only point of view worth listening to.
I'm guilty of it too, yes. *smiles* At times I can be very stubborn. However, there is a difference between...keeping your own view and putting down another's. I think...my views are very different from most of my friends, some might even call it 'fatalistic' and I've been accused more than once of being 'too intense'. I like to live in the moment. I am a person of extremes. And a life without passion for me...is pointless.
But that's it. For me. I'm not saying everyone else has to live as I do. I respect and accept that some prefer living sedentary lives where all is routine. And that's ok. I think...that's how it should be. If everyone lived the same way...the world would be a rather boring place. Diversity is a beautiful thing.
However, when people try to force me into their boxes, into their definitions of what life is, in the name of 'love'...well. *sigh* It pains me that the respect given, is not returned.
So many hurts, in the name of 'Love'.
I recognize...as I mentioned last February that while emotions like love are felt universally, they are expressed individually. Therefore, at times what love is to one person, is not necessarily an act of love for another.
That being said, there is simply no circumstance or logical reasoning for me that condones abusing those you love.
'I hit you because I love you'
'I tell you you're stupid, because I love you'
'I control you, because I love you'
When said like that, it seems...illogical doesn't it? And yet...it happens everyday. All over the world. Men and women...children...families...
Relationships that should create a sense of security, people that should make you feel...safe...instead create unease, mistrust and fear.
But what saddens me the most is when the fear is so great, that the person believes they deserve to be treated this way, that there is nothing better and that perhaps, this...is just what love is.
It is not.
There is beauty in everyone. And everyone deserves to have that beauty nourished so that they can shine. Please remember that, my friends. It's ok to want to be happy...and to be loved as you want to be loved.
*laughs* Ok. I'm becoming all emotional now. But I needed to say it.
Now to show paths of light through the darkness...

I share pictures from the 'Chinese Lantern Festival'.
In September I ventured to the Botanical Gardens one evening with
white_boot and my sister. I've been to the event several times as it comes every autumn. While the first time was magnificent I found in recent years it's been a bit of a let down.
( Not so this year~ )
For one night I was swept away by the beauty of painted silk, soft lights reflected in still black waters and floating poetry.
For that I am grateful. *smiles*
And if you've made it this far through my ramblings then you deserve something to make you smile as well~ Which is why U-ta's corner from FT 53 has been added to Nopperabou.
Ah~ I also...well...I have a little wish I would like to share. You see...November is my birthday month...and every year for my birthday I wish for the same things. The things that truly make me the happiest.
Snow~
And...something else that if you do for me...if you could give me this, I will shine and sparkle.
My little wish...is for people to be good to each other on my birthday. It's silly perhaps but that's what makes me happiest, seeing the people around me happy. Even if they're far away...*smiles*
It doesn't have to be much but...if everyone who reads this is kind to just one person that day well~ I think it would be such a beautiful day for celebrating.
Sometimes...it's not a place that creates that feeling of unease. It's a person.
Often...the people we are closest to.
Those we love, or want to love. But whose love hurts in return.
Lately, this has been on my mind a great deal. The question of, why is it...people most often hurt those they claim to love, those that are supposed to be the most important, the most protected? Please do not tell me it is because love and hate are two sides of the same coin. While I am aware of that...I refuse to believe that abuse of any kind is acceptable or a form of love.
And to be clear, I am speaking of 'intentional' hurt not 'accidental'. Because of course, flawed as we are, it will inevitably happen that as we cross paths with others, there will be friction and misunderstanding. Humans seem to have a great difficulty recognizing other egos. Or rather, conceding that ours is not the only point of view worth listening to.
I'm guilty of it too, yes. *smiles* At times I can be very stubborn. However, there is a difference between...keeping your own view and putting down another's. I think...my views are very different from most of my friends, some might even call it 'fatalistic' and I've been accused more than once of being 'too intense'. I like to live in the moment. I am a person of extremes. And a life without passion for me...is pointless.
But that's it. For me. I'm not saying everyone else has to live as I do. I respect and accept that some prefer living sedentary lives where all is routine. And that's ok. I think...that's how it should be. If everyone lived the same way...the world would be a rather boring place. Diversity is a beautiful thing.
However, when people try to force me into their boxes, into their definitions of what life is, in the name of 'love'...well. *sigh* It pains me that the respect given, is not returned.
So many hurts, in the name of 'Love'.
I recognize...as I mentioned last February that while emotions like love are felt universally, they are expressed individually. Therefore, at times what love is to one person, is not necessarily an act of love for another.
That being said, there is simply no circumstance or logical reasoning for me that condones abusing those you love.
'I hit you because I love you'
'I tell you you're stupid, because I love you'
'I control you, because I love you'
When said like that, it seems...illogical doesn't it? And yet...it happens everyday. All over the world. Men and women...children...families...
Relationships that should create a sense of security, people that should make you feel...safe...instead create unease, mistrust and fear.
But what saddens me the most is when the fear is so great, that the person believes they deserve to be treated this way, that there is nothing better and that perhaps, this...is just what love is.
It is not.
There is beauty in everyone. And everyone deserves to have that beauty nourished so that they can shine. Please remember that, my friends. It's ok to want to be happy...and to be loved as you want to be loved.
*laughs* Ok. I'm becoming all emotional now. But I needed to say it.
Now to show paths of light through the darkness...

I share pictures from the 'Chinese Lantern Festival'.
In September I ventured to the Botanical Gardens one evening with
( Not so this year~ )
For one night I was swept away by the beauty of painted silk, soft lights reflected in still black waters and floating poetry.
For that I am grateful. *smiles*
And if you've made it this far through my ramblings then you deserve something to make you smile as well~ Which is why U-ta's corner from FT 53 has been added to Nopperabou.
Ah~ I also...well...I have a little wish I would like to share. You see...November is my birthday month...and every year for my birthday I wish for the same things. The things that truly make me the happiest.
Snow~
And...something else that if you do for me...if you could give me this, I will shine and sparkle.
My little wish...is for people to be good to each other on my birthday. It's silly perhaps but that's what makes me happiest, seeing the people around me happy. Even if they're far away...*smiles*
It doesn't have to be much but...if everyone who reads this is kind to just one person that day well~ I think it would be such a beautiful day for celebrating.






