Money makes the world go round. Yet many are waiting to be found.
“Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast, it is not inflated. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered or quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury. Love does not delight over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.” Corinthians 13:4–8
Many people chase achievement, success, and even fame in the hopes of finding validation. Yet, beneath these pursuits lies a deeper yearning: the desire to be truly seen and understood. This quest for recognition often overshadows the fundamental human need for connection and authenticity, reminding us that what we truly seek is not just accolades but a sense of belonging and genuine acceptance.
Love is a connection and innate need for the human psyche and optimal development. It provides the gift of being loved despite flaws. It is part of a mutual unit that is psychologically safe and empowers one to live life to the fullest. It is a sacred space of belongingness that is everyone's birthright. Feeling belonged goes back to ancestral tribal days for emotional and physical survival. Unfortunately, many individuals are lonely and tragically displaced in their intimate connections. Do you know you can rent a boyfriend or girlfriend in Japan, and they have cuddling café services? It is known as “Cuddling Therapy” in Japan because it releases feel-good hormones. These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. It lowers levels of depression and anxiety and improves your mood and feelings of happiness and connection. Yet, our societies do not thoroughly discuss the innate need for meaningful connections. It should be specially addressed in work environments and educational institutions. Love is not taught in our schools as intricately as it should be. What are the traits of love that are uplifting? What does it look like in our day-to-day? What behaviours and choices contribute to love, and what do not? Is love allowed to have boundaries? Where do you draw the line between love and freedom? What’s the balance of giving or taking? And so much more.
For starters, there are different types of Love:
Romantic love variations: the hunt and chase down kind of love and then retreat, and sometimes it’s constantly repeated. Or the toxic love, puppy love, and convenient love that checks off the right boxes kind of love. The rescuing syndrome love. The co-dependency types of love. The famous, I can fix him, her, or them. This is one of the dangerous ones: “potential happily ever after love.” Ego serving love. The sweeter the eye candy, the greater the status quo, and the bigger the bonus in society; it validates their importance and their “special crown.”
I listed some not-good ones. Now, let’s take a look at the positive kinds of love.
The calm, soothing, and sound kind of love. The best friend is love that protects and is genuinely committed to being the best for one another. A love based on healthy passion and building one another up mutually. A love that feeds your spirit inspires you to reach your goals and wants to see you succeed. A love that contributes positively to your already fulfilling and happy life. A love that keeps ego, pride, and rage at bay because they know those are the greatest enemies.
Love does not just mean romantic relationships.
A beautiful example of selfless love is when strangers generously offer their time and resources to help those in need. The most incredible comfort for those suffering comes from knowing they are not alone and cared for. The beauty of this kind of love lies in its purity—there are no hidden agendas.
The love for a child is unparalleled; I once heard it described as "beautiful exhaustion.” Although parenting can be exhausting, it is worth the effort. The love a parent has for a child is unconditional and unbreakable. It is a gift that can never be taken away. Another parent said, "It’s like having your heart walking around the world, hoping it stays safe." It's a feeling of complete and total protection. A parent's love is a selfless and unconditional love that stays with a child forever.
Friendship is a sacred bond, a unique connection only friends can provide—a relationship unlike any other. Your love for your parents is distinct from your love for your grandparents, siblings, or pets. Each form of family love carries its own depth and significance, creating a rich tapestry of profound and profoundly cherished connections.
Dare I say self-love? Which has been one of the hottest trends for years. This is a big one.
Self-love is a state of being; it does not simply occur but requires active cultivation. Understanding what self-love truly means is key.
Reflect on what self-love looks like in your life and how it may differ from someone else’s experience. Consider how your understanding of self-love contrasts with societal expectations.
Self-love does not entail placing yourself on a pedestal or believing you are infallible. Instead, it involves being honest with yourself about your flaws and being compassionate enough to forgive them—perhaps even apologizing when necessary. It acknowledges that we all make mistakes and sometimes hurt others unintentionally. Taking responsibility for those mistakes allows us to learn and grow, helping us avoid repeating them in the future.
Embracing self-love means accepting yourself as imperfectly perfect—not perfectly perfect. Committing to being kind and gentle with yourself is a conscious decision, regardless of the circumstances.
Choosing self-love means prioritizing your happiness and fulfillment, not just others. It involves treating yourself with the same compassion and respect you would extend to another person or animal.
Practicing self-love means releasing the burden of impossible standards. It is about accepting yourself for who you are and loving yourself unconditionally—even in moments of imperfection. Self-love is being kind to yourself when mistakes occur, forgiving yourself when you stumble, and celebrating your victories without guilt or shame. Self-love means different things to each person, and the journey involves discovering what it means for you. This blog aims to shed light on the various facets of self-love and guide you in finding your unique version.
“Love is made up of three unconditional properties in equal measure: 1. Acceptance, 2. Understanding, 3. Appreciation. Remove any one of the three, and the triangle falls apart. Which, by the way, is something highly inadvisable. Think about it — do you really want to live in a world of only two dimensions? So, for the love of a triangle, please keep love whole.” Vera Nazarian
