The Importance of Definitions

Definitions are vital. Starting points for the imagination. What we cannot imagine cannot come into a good definition. It marks our starting point and lets us know where we want to end up.

Charting the Journey to Love

As we move toward our desired destination, we chart the journey creating a map. We need a map to guide us on our journey to love starting with the place where we know what we mean.

Defining Love as an Act of Will

When we speak of love, M. Scott Peck defines Love as the will to extend oneself to nurture one’s own or another’s spiritual growth. He continues, explaining that Love is as Love does, an act of will, namely, both an intention and an action.

Love vs. Abuse

We cannot claim to love if we are harmful or abusive. Love and abuse cannot coexist.

The Challenge of Loving in Dysfunctional Families

An overwhelming majority of us come from dysfunctional families, where we were taught we were not okay, shamed, and emotionally neglected, even as we were also taught to believe that we were loved.

Confronting Our Lack of Understanding of Love

Far too many people in our culture do not know what Love is. This not knowing feels like a terrible secret, a lack we must cover up.

Love as Action and Responsibility

To begin by always thinking of Love as an action rather than a feeling is one way in which anyone using the word in this manner automatically assumes accountability and responsibility.

Reclaiming the Meaning of Love

If we constantly remembered that Love is as Love does, we would not use the word in a manner that devalues its meaning. Instead, when we are loving, we openly and honestly express care, affection, responsibility, respect, commitment, and trust.

Closing Quote from bell hooks

Quote from bell hooks’ “All About Love”, Chapter One.