Love is a strong word—the kind of word that many have given up so much in an attempt to describe. I have decided that love means different things for everyone, and therefore we should embrace what it means to us. Chasing what it means to everyone else is the reason for unhappiness.
I have been there chasing love from an outside perspective. I always thought it was beautiful to be loved, but I have realized it is even better to be shown love from a place of love.
Love is when someone gives you what is valuable to them. That person who is a walking workaholic and time is precious to them. When they take a minute to spend with you, that is love.
That person who has social anxiety and they join to celebrate you in your very public event, that is love.
That stranger who offers to hold your luggage so you can sit in a matatu is showing you love. Your family, which has no obligation to continue supporting you several times after you mess up, is showing you love.
As a species, we are socialized to coexist with people. And even though we fight to be independent more often than not, most people desire to be loved. It may not be just romantic love one will desire but the presence of someone else.In the internet era, you will realize there’s an increased attention to who you vibe with in different spaces. That person whose posts you look forward to, that person whose comments crack you up. That total stranger you place video games with.
Oh, beautiful love, honest love, and the purity of caring about another human being.
To love and to be loved.
