One of the most annoying things about my generation is that we so often minimalize the need for love. This day in age, it's "cool" to show no emotions, not get too attached, and never fall in love. I'm not sure if it's the music, the culture, or an overall mind shift. But one thing is for sure, there is, now more than ever, a need for love in any and all relationships.
The thing about love, that is, unconditional love, is that it knows no bounds or reason. To love someone is just that, to love them for all that they are. But often times it's so easy to forget why we so desperately desire it, despite our attempt at trying to be "cool" and reject it.
We are loving creatures. We were created with an inherent desire for love, as well as a desire to love others. The more we suppress something that is innate in us, the more we are feeding into lies and destructive behaviors. There is no way to survive this life without love and the reason is simple.
Love is what gets us through. It's what keeps us going during the hard times and gives us something to celebrate during the good times. Love is what holds families together and it's what saves lives. It's what gives us a reason to keep waking up and whatever it is we're designed to do. It what makes us, us. It's what makes you, you.
But like I said, this isn't "cool." Personally, I don't care. I'm constantly getting told that I fall too hard too fast, I get too attached, and that I'm too nice. But the way I see it, it's so much better to have shown someone unconditional love than for that person to have never known your heart at all. It's better to have given them a glimpse into what grace and compassion looks like rather than for them to have never experienced it. I'm sorry, but I cannot and will not leave this earth never having shown love to anyone.
So what's the point? Well, the point is love. It's truly as simple as that. Loving others is half of what we are put on this earth to do. Loving others can be so easy. It can be as simple as listening to someone tell you about their bad day or praying over them when they need it. It can be paying for a stranger's coffee or opening your heart to new people. It can be shown in the smallest ways, but we have to take the first step.
So, what is the first step? Easy. The first step is to realize that we are loved; that we are loved by our creator and by other people. Whether we acknowledge it or not, our presence matters to someone. Acknowledging the love that was already shown by an undeserving death is necessary for understanding the need for loving others. There's no greater love than this.
The second step is to realize that others need love. Sometimes, people will do and say everything to try to convince you that they don't need your love. But, in my experience, these are usually the people that need the most love. So, understand that everyone is deserving of love and everyone needs it, no matter how hard it may seem.
The last step is to love. Action. We must not forget that loving others is a consistent act. We must do it, not just think it or observe it. Like I said, it can be simple. Don't underestimate the difference a simple act of kindness can make. It can truly save lives.
