In this sharing from the heart, I attempt to explore love and, in some instances, hate in their many forms and sources.
I have loved and been in love for more than half a century. I have endured broken hearts and might have even broken one or two, although as I look in the mirror, I seriously doubt it. I have foolishly thought I had it all figured out, only to come to the realization that when it comes to love and being in love, I have but scratched the surface, and my vision remains severely trammelled. I have seen people do physical harm to one another, claiming to be acting in the name of love.

I have witnessed mental anguish poured out like a flood, again claiming love as the cause. I have seen death invited through the door like a lustful vampire, once more under some absurd pretext that, in death, love will endure. Through it all, what I am prepared to say is that far too many of us have never met love face to face.

They have always judged and made little effort to just keep pace with what they assumed was love but have never embraced true love in all of its glory. They have foolishly fallen prey to lust in all of its guile, adorned in its trusty disguise, placing scales over their eyes. Muffling its voice, humming tunes without any words, claiming to be love, and screaming listen to my words.

Love does not scream; it has a gentle voice, tuned for a particular
ear, not for everyone to hear.
I have inquired of friends, foe, loved ones, and just the average Joe
what their thoughts are about love, at least whatever they think
they know.
The answers varied, but not in ways that I did not already know:

“Love is powerful.”
“True love is unconditional.”
“We have no control when we fall in love.”
“Love is bringing life into this world.”
“Love always feels good.”
“Love never hurts.”

“If we acted and spoke from a place of love, this world would be different.”
“God is love.”
“Love is certain. It can’t be summarized.”
“Love is pure, never misleading.”

“It’s a deep caring that, at times, causes you to do things that aren’t rational.”
“It exists; there are many kinds.”
“It is an incredible feeling to be in love.
But it also hurts incredibly when the person you are in love with doesn’t reciprocate.”
“Society’s greatest conundrum.”

“Love, to me, is knowing that someone sees something in you that
you don’t see in yourself. It means acknowledging that nothing’s
perfect, but a smile from the right person will make you feel
optimistic about anything. It’s about sharing the pieces of yourself
that you don’t like, but they love.”

“I believe in love.”

“I believe love is eternal, while hate is temporal.
The laughter of love will always dry the tears of hate.”
As the sharing above puts forth, many of us seem to see love in
different ways, giving credit to it as if it determines our fate.
Is it cultural, race-motivated, or just life’s experiences that form our

vision in this way?
Is it God inspired, or man’s desire?

Is the definition found in a combining of words or the opening of

one’s heart?

How do I know if I have truly done my part to ensure that love will

never be torn apart?
Is love tangible in a meaningful way?