Does Love Exist?

Australia beach populated by those whom we can suppose love one another

This is the 4th chapter from the book, “All The Answers”

Purchase here: https://store.outerslant.com/#vTFAL

Does love exist?

Romantic. Unconditional. Familiar. Difficult. Worthwhile. Platonic. Kindred. Understanding. Warm. True. Eternal. Anxious. Unsettling. Self-sacrificing. Gentle. Giving. Forgiving. Spontaneous. Destined. Painful. Comforting.

Love can take shape admist all the above sentiments, but it is not the sum of all those parts.

Sure, we can be very much familiar with the emotional tidal waves experienced by Love, but these are merely symptoms and side effects of it.

We often feel these byproducts of Love as we swim deeper into the ocean of Love with somebody, but what is it exactly we are swimming into— or toward when we develop a relationship?

How can we be certain love actually does exist if we have no idea what it is?

Love is a refined emotion, it is one that resides over a large timeframe, it is a constant attitude, one subconscious in nature — it is less an emotion and more a mindset.

To think clearly upon the nature of love it is important to not mix it with the emotions it ignites, because the key factor to understanding Love doesn’t entirely involve how one feels at any given moment.

Emotions are flux and influenced, constantly churning, changing — increasing, decreasing at various times of the day. Emotions can’t be trusted when asking yourself, “Do I love this person?”

“What could be more convincing, moreover, than the gesture of laying one’s cards face up on the table?”
— Jacques Lacan

The Certainty of Reconciliation

Have you ever fought with a family member, been incredibly honest with your siblings that you hurt their feelings? Have you ever attacked the insecurities of a close friend or significant other because you were frustrated by their behavior? Have you ever hung up on your mother after she tried to discipline you over the phone?

These quarrels often happen with the ones we love. With the ones we find security in being totally honest with. The truth hurts, and we are typically most honest with those we…