To some individuals, this concept may appear peculiar. After all, isn't the ultimate goal the same? Perhaps the paths taken may differ, but aren't we trying to be with the same person?
The response to this is a resounding "No!"
Falling in love and being in love are as distinct as America is from England. Sure, they both speak English, but the similarities end there. Likewise, while falling in love and being in love share the word "love," they never signify the same thing.
Let's illustrate this with an example:
Imagine you are walking down the road and slipping on a banana peel, causing you to fall. What's your next instinct? To get back up. In hindsight, that is what falling in love is like - it has an expiration date. You can fall in love with someone, but unless you ARE in love with that person, it will always have an expiry date. It might seem like mere wordplay, but the distinction is crucial.
Now, let's delve into the difference. Falling in love is like a vast umbrella encompassing various emotions towards someone else - desire, infatuation, obsession, or any form of intense emotion that makes us want to be with that person! However, they come with a caveat - they are not meant to last forever.
We've all experienced crushes, celebrity obsessions, or people we simply wanted to sleep with. This was falling in love, even if we hesitate to use the word "love" in these contexts. Love doesn't necessarily mean being tied to someone or criticizing someone's desire to explore relationships freely; it's a personal opinion.
But why do we call it "falling" in love? It's a reflection of our ego! We crave that person to the point of addiction. We feel validated and that this love defines our existence. Ultimately, we are all searching for our true selves, and this craving is what we mistakenly identify as falling in love.
Now, let's return to the concept of being in love. What does it mean? It may involve mundane activities like grocery shopping for someone who's at a bookstore purchasing your favorite book - this is love.
Being in love doesn't have to be intense like a whirlwind or a tsunami, but it must be genuine. Falling in love may create an illusion of sunshine and happiness, but it often strays from reality. True love, on the other hand, is tangible and requires compromise, kindness, and compassion.
Being in love means you might not feel a constant fiery passion for your partner, but you'll be there for them when they need you most, even when they least deserve it. It entails dedicating a day each month to spend quality time together and supporting them unconditionally.
While falling in love may suffice for a brief period, it's not synonymous with genuine love. Feeling loved and being loved are two different things.
And when it comes to true love, what is more telling - someone saying they love you during intimate moments, or someone who wakes you up in the morning, playfully splashes cold water on your head, and goes on a jog with you, while also making sure you have a bottle of glucose in case you need it? Some may argue for the former, and that's their opinion, but for many, it will always be the latter.
Love resides in life's little moments - witnessing your child's first steps, celebrating your daughter's graduation, or marveling at your partner on your wedding day, feeling incredibly fortunate to marry them.
That is love!
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