What exactly is love? Love is an association of varying feelings and behaviors characterized by emotional intimacy, romance, commitment, and care. It involves emotional intimacy, similar to that of intimacy, romance, commitment, and care, but often times it does not include lust or sexual attraction. Instead, love can vary tremendously in intensity and occasionally does not exist at all. It also involves a reciprocation of love and concern for the other person. One may give love and receive love in return.
Love is often described as a common bonding of two people with similar emotions, preferences, characteristics, interests, or abilities. It is considered a primary relationship by many in our society. However, love differs from relationship in other ways such as financial, familial, or friendliness. When love exists between two people in a platonic relationship, it is called romantic love, while relationships in which the relationship takes a different form such as friendship, casual dating, long-term romance, cohabitation, dating, marriage, or a life partnership are considered more of a lifelong form of love. In some cultures, there is a perception that true love and marriage are oxymorons, because what is termed love is not related to human intimacy at all.
Love is actually comprised of three components: deep emotional intimacy, deep caring, and reciprocity. The first two components exist without the presence of another person, whereas reciprocity is present in a relationship between a single person and another person who exhibits similar emotions, such as happiness, sadness, fear, envy, or even love. People form relationships with others based on these three components alone. To some, love may involve physical intimacy, while to others it may only be a mental experience.
Emotions are a key ingredient to romantic relationships. People need to feel understood, cared for, and appreciated. However, sometimes our emotions can override our rational thinking. This leads us to crave intimacy, regardless of whether we are married or not. We feel an intense desire to connect with someone special, even if this person is another living being, a friend, or a special gift from God. It is possible to have a fulfilling romantic relationship when the emotions of love and passion are balanced with rational thinking and healthy self-esteem.
Unrequited love happens when a person has a strong emotional attraction to someone that they just cannot seem to win the affections towards. As much as possible, we would want to experience love with the one whom we feel truly loves us back, but sometimes in life circumstances prevent us from reaching our potential. The situation can either be caused by a past trauma, or it can be due to excessive expectations. When there is no clear reason for the un requited love, then this leads to disappointment and a feeling of being unfulfilled.
When we experience true love, it is our deep emotions that rule over rational thinking. In order to attract anything we must develop positive emotions. People who have strong feelings and who experience strong emotions at the same time are usually seen as being in tune with their personal energy (known as “energy”). They also radiate happiness and good health. If you want to attract something, then first make sure you are attracting something: Love. Then experience love.