Love was the most searched for word in Google in 2012.
What is Love?
The Guardian published an article ‘What is Love?’ and came up with 5 theories from a Physicist, a Psychotherapist, a Philosopher, a Romantic Novelist, and a Benedictine Nun and none of them gave me any real answers, surprisingly the bible did.
In the New International Version of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13 verse 4 clearly defines love and it isn’t a question of what love is, but what love does.
“Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not boast. Love is not proud. Love does not dishonour. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrong-doing. Love does not delight in evil. Love rejoices in truth. Love always protects. Love always trusts. Love always hopes. Love always perseveres.”
However there is a maxim: ‘Charity begins at home’ meaning: Love begins with oneself and with everyone who lives with you.
How can anyone apply love to others if they do not know how to love themselves? I was astonished when I first heard the Safety Advice on board an airplane. The advice was to secure yourself first before helping a child or anyone else. As a mother my first instinct would be to make my child safe. However the problem with this is that if the child is made safe, she/he is still relying on their mother to continue to keep them safe and how can she if she is unable to secure herself? For me this was a graphic illustration of the need to look after oneself so that you are in the best place to help others. This is why the saying Charity begins at home, must include oneself.
When you are able to apply those aspects written in the bible to yourself you will be well equipped with all the tools to love those who live in the home and outside it.
Hi Marianne,
I agree! Good for you to publish it and keep it to a concise, clear, positive and spiritually inclusive description!