Valentines day was this last week. For most, it is a time to rekindle love for one another.
The word is droned on and on in the media and in people's daily conversations concerning their sweethearts. But what exactly is Love?
For simplicity's sake, here is love dissected into three kinds:
Eros: a passion for appetite
All of us have our likes and dislikes in things such as food, luxuries and perfection in arts and people.
This kind of love is good...to a point.
A romantic relationship, for example, will fail if it is set on this kind of love. Bodily perfection will decay over time, and as a result unity decays with it.
It helps start an initial attraction, but that is all it does.
Philos: thanks in return
This is another kind of love, only stronger then Eros.
In our very fiber lies the need to satisfy justice. When someone does something for another, that person feels incline to return. This is the very thing that holds friendships and marriages together when partners feel and act on the needs of their comrades.
However, even this love has its weaknesses.
People are not perfect, and sadly neither are alliances at times. If one person feels hurt by another, that person will either avoid that person [sometimes with fair enough reason] or try to get even.
Despite its flaws, it is still good social behavior. However....
Agape: the flawless Diamond of Love
Take the following video:
But for what ever reason [they were prideful, didn't have the time and perhaps genuinely fearful] they moved on.
The Samaritans were part Jew, part Gentile [or non-Jew], who were hated by both groups of people for being who they were as mutts.
But it was this particular Samaritan who stopped to help his “neighbor”. He didn't care that the beaten man was ugly, or even hostile toward him, he only saw that he was in trouble.
What if...we stopped to help our neighbors, even to just say hello each morning?
What if... people young and old, rich or poor, would let greed slip from their lives so they can share just as much as they receive?
What if... we were patient with people who cross our roads? Allowed bygones to be bygones?
What if... we can harness all types of love and channel though Charity [or Agape]?
Simply doing small acts can mean a world of difference, even if it only changes the world of those you love, those in need or those that offend.
The word is droned on and on in the media and in people's daily conversations concerning their sweethearts. But what exactly is Love?
For simplicity's sake, here is love dissected into three kinds:
Eros: a passion for appetite
All of us have our likes and dislikes in things such as food, luxuries and perfection in arts and people.
This kind of love is good...to a point.
A romantic relationship, for example, will fail if it is set on this kind of love. Bodily perfection will decay over time, and as a result unity decays with it.
It helps start an initial attraction, but that is all it does.
Philos: thanks in return
This is another kind of love, only stronger then Eros.
In our very fiber lies the need to satisfy justice. When someone does something for another, that person feels incline to return. This is the very thing that holds friendships and marriages together when partners feel and act on the needs of their comrades.
However, even this love has its weaknesses.
People are not perfect, and sadly neither are alliances at times. If one person feels hurt by another, that person will either avoid that person [sometimes with fair enough reason] or try to get even.
Despite its flaws, it is still good social behavior. However....
Agape: the flawless Diamond of Love
Take the following video:
[click here in case the video does not show up, or switch browsers with Adobe Flash installed]
Keep in mind, the man wounded was a Jew, the men that passed by him were Jews who's job was it to help the physical needs of the people.But for what ever reason [they were prideful, didn't have the time and perhaps genuinely fearful] they moved on.
The Samaritans were part Jew, part Gentile [or non-Jew], who were hated by both groups of people for being who they were as mutts.
But it was this particular Samaritan who stopped to help his “neighbor”. He didn't care that the beaten man was ugly, or even hostile toward him, he only saw that he was in trouble.
What if...we stopped to help our neighbors, even to just say hello each morning?
What if... people young and old, rich or poor, would let greed slip from their lives so they can share just as much as they receive?
What if... we were patient with people who cross our roads? Allowed bygones to be bygones?
What if... we can harness all types of love and channel though Charity [or Agape]?
Simply doing small acts can mean a world of difference, even if it only changes the world of those you love, those in need or those that offend.
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