The word love comes with a lot of baggage. Some people believe that only certain feelings fit the definition of love, such as affection or lust. Others see it as a commitment to support and protect someone over time. The Bible says that love is selfless and sacrificial, and Jesus is often seen as the ultimate example of this type of love. There are also other examples of love in the Bible, such as Joseph’s devotion to his brothers, and Paul’s love for the Philippians.
Is love a feeling or a choice? There are benefits to both understandings. If you love something purely based on the feelings it stirs, then you are likely to be very attached and possessive of it. This can lead to problems in relationships, including a lack of trust. However, if you consider that your actions define the love you feel, then you may be more willing to make compromises and sacrifices in order to keep the relationship healthy.
Many people use the word “love” to describe their feelings toward food, pets, and other people. Some people even use it to refer to their feelings toward abstract things, such as ideas or values. There are many ways to show love, from simple gestures like hugs to more elaborate acts such as buying gifts or traveling the world.
While it’s difficult to define love, you can understand how it works by looking at what the person loves and what you enjoy doing with that person. When you are in love, your brain and nervous system release a chemical called dopamine. This is what gives you those butterflies in your stomach. This feeling also causes you to spend more time with that person and think about them all the time.
It’s also why some people who are in love find themselves doing things they would normally not do. For instance, they might go to a baseball game or hang out at the mall, even though those are not their favorite activities. They do these things because they want to please their partner. They are showing their love by trying to meet their partner’s needs and desires.
Some experts believe that the feelings of love are not necessarily a primary emotion but rather a complex combination of emotions. This view is supported by research that shows that a variety of emotions can be present at the same time. It’s also important to remember that just because you’re in love, doesn’t mean your cortisol and serotonin levels will stay elevated all the time.
The ancient philosophers Plato and Aristotle believed that love is more than just a feeling. It’s a bond between two people that is built on admiration, trust and choice to support and protect one another over time. In addition to kama, which is the love of pleasure, they defined three other forms of love: karuna, bhakti and prema. The bhakti form of love involves worshipping God, while karuna is compassion and mercy for others. Prema is the love of divine, and it’s this type of love that Jesus exemplified through his sacrificial death on the cross.