spring2006

Love... Is there a more common theme on earth? It's hard to watch a movie that doesn't involve some scene about love.

I recently watched a documentary that described love as a chemical reaction. I have my own theories about love.

Love is thought of in different ways. It can be passion for the opposite sex (or, in some cases, same sex); it can be deep appreciation for parents or ancestors; it can be complete devotion to a child.

There's a famous song by Queen that goes, "I just gotta get out of this prison cell, one day I'm gonna be free, lord--" before repeating many times, "Find me somebody to love, Find me somebody to love, Find me somebody to love..." The singer/writer is apparently very lonely. The question I want to ask, and attempt to answer, is, "Does love need an object (a target)?"

Most examples of love are like deals, or contracts. Take romantic love. Of course we want to be kind, and take care of, and make love with our partners, but we expect the same treatment and love in return. If we feel the other is not returning our love, or not taking care of us, or worse--loving someone else!--then we withdraw our love. While that's reasonable, it seems to indicate that this love, romantic love, is more like a contract. We'll give--as long as we receive.

So, what I want to say is, I believe true love doesn't need an object. This kind of love just is, and spreads out like sunshine. Everyone can receive it. This love loves "your" baby as much as "my" baby; this love equally shines on people who physically appeal to us and people who don't; this love touches annoying people as much as kind people. The bible says, "Love your enemies." That's certainly difficult, or even unnatural, but in my view that's the deepest, truest love: a love that asks nothing and gives everything.