Love....what does that four letter word mean to you?

Happiness, being complete, fulfillment, inspiration, security

The oldest question and perhaps the foundation of civilization is "What is love?" Defined, it looses its meaning. It is a question that needs to be left unanswered. Defining love constrains it, and love is without constraint. It is what you must give to obtain. It is like a perpetual spring, the more that is poured out, the more there is pouring in. Love is the treasure that cannot be guarded, for if it is not given, it is not replenished. Love, like light, must be able to escape as easily as it enters. Love, arrives on the path that it goes forth on.

Carol, thats a good answer.
There are no wrong answers, its diffrent for everyone, we all have opinions.
An Karl....your right to. Love cant be boxed in. Its uncondotional.
It shouldnt be conditional.
Thanks for the response :)

It would seem to me that there are two kinds of love; being "in love", and "love". They're two different things, and one doesn't necessarily come with the other.

Being "in love", is the one your probably most familiar with. That's the emotional feeling you have towards others, especially when its for someone of the opposite sex. It can be deep and intense, but it can also be very shallow. Being "in love" is also a variable thing, it can change over time; sometimes from one moment to the next. It comes, it goes, and it can comeback again. In fact, in a long term relationship it can come and go many times, over and over again. But relationships based on being "in love" rarely last. They sometimes are defined by a 50/50 kind if attitude; I do my part, you do your part. Problem is that when one stops doing their part, that's usually the end of it.

"Love" on the other hand, is not based on a feeling that can come and go. It's a commitment. It can come from being "in love", but it's not the same thing. This is more than being "in love". It's the kind of love that makes relationships last "till death do us part". "Love", as I said, is a commitment, a commitment to the welfare and well-being of another. It can develop from feeling "in love" but it isn't dependant on how you may feel at the moment. As an example, think of the love a "normal" parent has for their child. (I said normal to distinguish from parents who may have personality problems that keep them from expressing or having love for their children). It doesn't matter if their kid is good, bad or indifferent, they love their kid just the same. They love them no matter what. They never give up on them. They always hope for, look for, and act in their childs best interest. (I have an adult son who tests me in that way frequently! And I still love him dearly). I've been married for 20 years this August. We've seen a lot of good times, and a lot of very hard times too. I would certianly say that I am "in love" with my wife, but just a few days ago she was not in my top ten. Being "in love" is like that. But because I love her, those bad times don't matter. I know that those times when either of us are not so loveable are temporary and will pass. We don't keep records of past wrongs, we don't keep score. This is the major difference of "love" and being "in love" "Love is a commitment, no matter what you feel in the moment. Like I said, being "in love" comes with a 50\50 attitude. "Love" is a 110/110% proposition. Each does 110%, but not only that, each does their 110% without regard to what the other is doing. If one is only capable of 10%, the other is making up the difference. This can be like that for long periods of time, though no relationship can withstand that forever, it can happen sometimes. That's the test of commitment. Being "in love" is an easy thing, it just sort of happens; "love" is a lot of work, hard work at times, but it pay off big time!

Well, at least, thats the way I see it.

campassion doesn't have to be people
comes from both ends, very deep, unseperable
My greatest love is dogs