This is just some food for thought for those who find themselves confused, conflicted, or concerned about relationship issues and concepts of love. There's always been a lot of threads, and a lot of discussion, about individuals' issues with relationships, breakups, wantups, and so forth.
Take this for what you will.
First of all, lots of people have a hard time getting a girl to like them, or knowing if they do or not.
You shouldn't have to parade your positive qualities, chase, convince or persuade a girl to have interest in you. The attraction should be there naturally, equally, and unambiguously.
Once you've established a relationship, I see a lot of confusion and concerns about knowing how one another feel, and conveying how you feel. Threads and posts have been mirrored all over this forum of messages like this:
"I just feel so strongly for her. I love her so much. *list of her qualities*"
They say all the right things to all the wrong people.
Communication is key. Fearlessly sharing your thoughts with one another, leaving nothing unsaid, dissolves those fights where emotions are finally let out after brooding and brewing inside for so long. Share your insecurities in yourself and in your relationship; issues never exposed are never resolved.
Love, around here and everywhere else, is tossed around like a pigskin. There's a lot to be said on the topic.
There’s three kinds of love, from what I’ve observed: (1) Natural love, (2) Diluted love, (3) Transcendent love. The first is the love you feel for certain people naturally . your parents, your relatives. The second is love you have for things . Chinese food, movies, your friends, activities, interests, possessions. This is the weakest form of love, and stands really as a strong liking of a particular thing, exaggerated or emphasized through the use of [diluted] love. This love is also flexible and subject to increases, decreases, and alterations such as no longer loving something and loving something else, or loving one thing more than another. Parents generally claim to love all their children equally, because it is a natural love; someone’s love for a significant other in a relationship is more often than not (metaphorically speaking) something the other person borrows, and has it stolen or given back to you, like a class ring.
Transcendent love is derived from natural love . it is unconditional; regardless of circumstances, there is always love there and that love never dwindles. Transcendent love ascends above natural love, bringing with it a desire to love, rather than be loved. You make sacrifices, sacrifices you’d make for no one else, to make the other happy and bring smiles to their faces. It’s not measured in the nickels and dimes you save and spend for her, it’s measured in the love that’s exchanged. Transcendent love is equal between the two . no one loves the other more than they love you. The sacrifices, when they arise, are made by both parties. Transcendent love is ever-lasting. Transcendent love is true love.
I spoke with my mom for four hours today, doing what she calls "solving the problems of the world" which really means having insightful conversations and storytellings about life, love, people, and so forth. She talked about the five kinds of love.
(1) Touch: This is the kind of love expressed, not necessarily in sex, but intimacy -- massages, holding hands, kisses, and so forth. A touch lover expresses their love to a person by doing those kinds of things, and feels loved most when those actions are reciprocated on them.
(2) Communication: This kind of lover always wants to talk. "How are you? What'd you do today? Tell me all about it." And so forth. These lovers feel shut out when they're not being communicated with, and lovers who aren't of this kind feel nagged. But a harmonious balance makes for a great relationship.
(3) Gifts: This lover shows their affection by showering you with gifts; flowers, jewelry, presents, and so forth, are representative of their love for you. These people feel most loved when they receive gifts. Careful not to base your love on material items.
(4) Quality Time: This love is concentrated on the time you spend with one another; not time spent while you're at a party, or when you're at a public event. The time spent alone, with just the two of you, is where these lovers feel and give off the most love.
(5) Service: These are lovers who perform tasks, without asking (that part's important), that make the recipient of them feel like a princess, and feel greatly appreciated. These people also feel most loved when their lover serves them without asking. This kind of love makes the two lovers grateful to each other, but lack of equality risk one becoming an actual servant, instead of a lover.
Which one are you? A lover-cocktail can make for a more fulfilling relationship (not necessarily, of course).
The only things I thought to add to those were traits of love -- characteristics one has that express their love.
Sacrifice: The ability to sacrifice things important to you for a greater good, the good of your relationship, is a trait admirable and does not go unrecognized and unappreciated in a true loving relationship.
Sharing: Love, through communication, touch, gifts, service, time, or sacrifice, should be equal (or close to) in a strong relationship. Maintaining a balanced scale of the give-take love ratio is key.
That's all I have time to say for right now.
Peace and Love,
NG