The essence of love has been debated throughout the centuries, found in the corners of poetry, the pages of great novels and in the advice of wise individuals over time. Nevertheless, the concept of love remains enigmatic and elusive for many.
How Daily Decisions Shape Our Romantic Relationships
Some view it as a fleeting feeling, while others perceive it as a deliberate decision. And it is precisely here that the key to understanding the true meaning of love lies.
There is a very interesting reflection on love. In it, a man approaches a sage seeking advice about his relationship which seemed to be on the brink of collapse. His heart was filled with uncertainty and resignation, believing that the love he once felt for his wife had disappeared.
However, the sage’s response was unexpected and, at the same time, enlightening: “Love her.”
What did the sage mean by this word?
It was not merely about a passing feeling or an emotion that comes and goes. The true nature of love transcends emotion. Loving is not a feeling; it is an action, a decision we make every day.
If we see love as a mere emotion, we run the risk of being slaves to our emotional whims. Emotions are, by nature, volatile. They change with circumstances, experiences and time. Conversely, viewing love as a decision gives us the power and responsibility to keep it alive.
The Art of Loving
How to Cultivate Our Emotional Garden Daily
Strong Relationships: The comparison between tending a garden and nurturing love
Loving is like caring for a garden. Just as a gardener works daily, removing weeds, preparing the soil, planting seeds and watering the plants, so must we work on our relationships. There will be times of emotional drought, where the connection seems to fade.
Other days may be overwhelmingly stormy, filled with disagreements and tensions. However, a committed gardener does not abandon their garden when facing these challenges. In the same way, those who decide to love do not abandon their relationships in the face of adversity.
Valuing, respecting, understanding and admiring our partner are the tools we use to cultivate our garden of love. Each day, we must make the decision to love, to care for that garden and to look beyond imperfections and challenges.
Love is not something that just “happens.” It is not a feeling that comes and goes at random. It is a conscious choice that we make daily. So, the next time you feel that love is fading, remember the sage’s words: “Love her.”
Decide to actively love and cultivate that love with deliberate and meaningful actions. Because at the end of the day, loving is an art that we all have the power to perfect.
