Defining Love

[GiveawayGirl]

Agreed.

I even suppressed three puns while composing this reply.

Which just goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks

I've already exceeded my allocated allotment of free time for the morning. Have a good day Yank

 

[midwestyankee]

Which just goes to show that you can teach an old dog new tricks

I've already exceeded my allocated allotment of free time for the morning. Have a good day Yank

Have a good one yourself, GG.

 

[shell seeker2]

Greetings, everyone! It's been a while! I've read a couple of the last posts (I've missed way too much). I think it's not smart, but it is possible to be in love with 2 people. You can't help what you feel. Although, I would recommend not getting into that situation.

 

[dcraz]

If you'd read carefully, you'd know that Cathleen already did the honors on this one. In football, this would be called "piling on."

You wish!

Come to think of it, I wish too!!!

 

[~Dream~]

I love a man that loves bush!!!!!!!

well I USED to say that too Hun ,but however since I'm SHAVED now .... well ..you know..


My baby and i kick ass with Kerry

 

[MysteriousRomantic]

I know that you can love more then one person at the same time. But when one has walked away and the other one you love is there with you through everything....................he or she is the one to continue to feel the pain of the inability for any type of true commitment. Funny how that one still by the others side is the one that has to hurt. Does not seem quite right

 

[GiveawayGirl]

I know that you can love more then one person at the same time. But when one has walked away and the other one you love is there with you through everything....................he or she is the one to continue to feel the pain of the inability for any type of true commitment. Funny how that one still by the others side is the one that has to hurt. Does not seem quite right

Hello again MR, this is the second time your path has intersected with mine today

I'm not sure I'm understanding your post clearly. Of course, the risk of pain is always present in any relationship. It's almost a required ingredient since none of us are perfect and are bound to inflict pain of some type on the ones we love, even if inadvertently. I think the key is forgiveness and the ability to grow out of that pain.

Are you saying that when you make a choice between two, the one you have chosen still feels pain because of the situation? I'm confused (as seems to be the case more and more often lately).

 

[midwestyankee]

I was on a long drive by myself today and had some time to think a bit. I know, that's often a dangerous thing in my case, but I did it anyway. And I arrived home in one piece as well.

It has been my experience that when in love we begin to see the world differently. We begin to notice things that are a part of our beloved's world that were not part of ours before: a type of music, certain foods, TV shows and the like are all common things that we might never have noticed until we came to know our beloved. So our world is somewhat expanded in this way.

Next we begin to notice that our everyday experiences are passing into our consciousness through a different filter. We have a conversation with someone we enjoy and immediately we wonder how our beloved might like this person or how this person might react to our beloved. We see a newspaper headline and ask what our beloved will think when she sees it. We have a conversation with a family member and start thinking of things that family member has in common with our beloved, so of course they would like each other. And so not only is our world expanded, but it takes on new colors and different meanings.

This is exactly the role of a good education: to get us to see and experience the world in a broader way. We study history and maybe a little philosophy or a foreign language in the hopes (in part, at least) that we will be a better citizen and make better decisions in our lives. It is a matter of intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth that we continue to educate ourselves. In part, again, to make our way in the world as a better person.

So love, insofar as it broadens our outlook on life and expands the ways in which we interact with the world, acts like something of an education. It is a stimulant of growth.

Growth and love are part and parcel of the same human process: living well. Perhaps their interconnection is one of the reasons why love has such a powerful role in our lives.

 

[shell seeker2]

I'd quote you Yankee, but that was long. What an interesting concept. After I read your post, I pondered it for a while and realized what you said is true (at least in my case). I do find my self wondering what my SO would think about that new person I meet, places I've been, etc. I also know that when you "merge" with someone else you do share many common things, and really miss them if they aren't around to participate. For example, I've been watching the races for 3 years, now. I enjoyed them, but today, and last week, I wasn't able to watch them with my friend. I actually realized how much he brought the races to life for me. May sound silly, but I just wanted to let you know I agree with you.

 

[midwestyankee]

I'd quote you Yankee, but that was long. What an interesting concept. After I read your post, I pondered it for a while and realized what you said is true (at least in my case). I do find my self wondering what my SO would think about that new person I meet, places I've been, etc. I also know that when you "merge" with someone else you do share many common things, and really miss them if they aren't around to participate. For example, I've been watching the races for 3 years, now. I enjoyed them, but today, and last week, I wasn't able to watch them with my friend. I actually realized how much he brought the races to life for me. May sound silly, but I just wanted to let you know I agree with you.

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm glad this made sense to someone and wasn't merely the product of seeing far too many little white lines in the road.

 

[wicked woman]

Originally posted by midwestyankee
I was on a long drive by myself today and had some time to think a bit. I know, that's often a dangerous thing in my case, but I did it anyway. And I arrived home in one piece as well.

It has been my experience that when in love we begin to see the world differently. We begin to notice things that are a part of our beloved's world that were not part of ours before: a type of music, certain foods, TV shows and the like are all common things that we might never have noticed until we came to know our beloved. So our world is somewhat expanded in this way.

Next we begin to notice that our everyday experiences are passing into our consciousness through a different filter. We have a conversation with someone we enjoy and immediately we wonder how our beloved might like this person or how this person might react to our beloved. We see a newspaper headline and ask what our beloved will think when she sees it. We have a conversation with a family member and start thinking of things that family member has in common with our beloved, so of course they would like each other. And so not only is our world expanded, but it takes on new colors and different meanings.

This is exactly the role of a good education: to get us to see and experience the world in a broader way. We study history and maybe a little philosophy or a foreign language in the hopes (in part, at least) that we will be a better citizen and make better decisions in our lives. It is a matter of intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth that we continue to educate ourselves. In part, again, to make our way in the world as a better person.

So love, insofar as it broadens our outlook on life and expands the ways in which we interact with the world, acts like something of an education. It is a stimulant of growth.

Growth and love are part and parcel of the same human process: living well. Perhaps their interconnection is one of the reasons why love has such a powerful role in our lives.

Not too long that I won't quote it! hehe

I don't disagree with you Yank but I'm wondering if this just isn't to a larger degree than the same occurrence with a good friend? I ask not to be argumentative, but because I do the same thing with good friends of mine...just not to the same degree or frequency that I would with a beloved. Just something else to ponder...and glad you made it home safely from your long drive.

 

[midwestyankee]

Not too long that I won't quote it! hehe

I don't disagree with you Yank but I'm wondering if this just isn't to a larger degree than the same occurrence with a good friend? I ask not to be argumentative, but because I do the same thing with good friends of mine...just not to the same degree or frequency that I would with a beloved. Just something else to ponder...and glad you made it home safely from your long drive.

Oh, I think you're quite right, WW. In fact, the more I think about this the more I realize it's not very profound at all. That which dominates our consciousness is going to dominate how we take in the world through our senses. When we experience something that we associate with a friend, we will inevitably filter that experience through our friend's "eyes," so to speak. I have a very good friend who loves to try different ethnic restaurants; when we were roommates we did so on hundreds of occasions. Even decades later, when I go to an ethnic restaurant I think and act in terms of those experiences with him.

 

[Cathleen]

Oh, I think you're quite right, WW. In fact, the more I think about this the more I realize it's not very profound at all. That which dominates our consciousness is going to dominate how we take in the world through our senses. When we experience something that we associate with a friend, we will inevitably filter that experience through our friend's "eyes," so to speak. I have a very good friend who loves to try different ethnic restaurants; when we were roommates we did so on hundreds of occasions. Even decades later, when I go to an ethnic restaurant I think and act in terms of those experiences with him.

I think you were on a good track Yank. When in love, especially the early stages, our awarenesses are hightened, songs take on new meaning, we become aware of things our beloved enjoys and begin to see them everywhere.

It is similar with our friends. It is the connection that is profound I believe.

 

[wicked woman]

Originally posted by midwestyankee
Oh, I think you're quite right, WW. In fact, the more I think about this the more I realize it's not very profound at all. That which dominates our consciousness is going to dominate how we take in the world through our senses. When we experience something that we associate with a friend, we will inevitably filter that experience through our friend's "eyes," so to speak. I have a very good friend who loves to try different ethnic restaurants; when we were roommates we did so on hundreds of occasions. Even decades later, when I go to an ethnic restaurant I think and act in terms of those experiences with him.

Exactly...I developed my love of the ballet because a close friend of mine loves it. There are certain friends I have that particularly enjoy books or movies or music that I love to pick their brains about it and discuss...try out their recommendations. I do think it's more prevalent and pervasive for a beloved...and since I can honestly say I love my friends...it's still a sign of love...just not only of one's beloved.

 

[Cathleen]

Welcome home WW ~ glad you are back and hope you enjoyed your holiday.

 

[midwestyankee]

I think you were on a good track Yank. When in love, especially the early stages, our awarenesses are hightened, songs take on new meaning, we become aware of things our beloved enjoys and begin to see them everywhere.

It is similar with our friends. It is the connection that is profound I believe.

Agreed. Just about any very strong connection will have this same impact.

I guess what's startling is the degree and frequency with which these things happen with respect to the beloved in the early stages. It's quite overwhelming.

 

[Cathleen]

Agreed. Just about any very strong connection will have this same impact.

I guess what's startling is the degree and frequency with which these things happen with respect to the beloved in the early stages. It's quite overwhelming.

Love is overwhelming in the very best way.

For you and your Beloved, how lovely it is to witness, in a small way, your love for one another.

 

[midwestyankee]

Love is overwhelming in the very best way.

For you and your Beloved, how lovely it is to witness, in a small way, your love for one another.

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

 

[wicked woman]

Originally posted by Cathleen
Welcome home WW ~ glad you are back and hope you enjoyed your holiday.

Thanks Cate...good to be back...yes I had a wonderful time doing nothing...just recharging my very overdrawn batteries.

btw that's another of one of your very fetching AVs.

 

[wicked woman]

Originally posted by Cathleen


For you and your Beloved, how lovely it is to witness, in a small way, your love for one another.

I'll second Cate's comments.

 

[midwestyankee]

I'll second Cate's comments.

Here's hoping you and Cate get to continue this pleasure for a long, long time.

 

[Beloved0903]

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

The lady in question thanks you too

 

[Cathleen]

The lady in question thanks you too

You are both welcome, it is a pleasure.

 

[MT_Pitcher]

The lady in question thanks you too

Welcome
And our sympathies

Yank would do no less for me

 

[Beloved0903]

Welcome
And our sympathies

Yank would do no less for me

Thank you MT_Pitcher and Cathleen for the warm welcome.