LOVE IS... (My "Valentine's Day" Thoughts)

Valentine's Day is focused on eros love so I might as well write about it. 

Today is Valentine's Day and I'm enjoying the atmosphere that's full of love love love. Yesterday, I couldn't count how many guys, young and old, bought something special for their loved ones. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social networking sites are flooded with posts and photos about love and appreciation. It made me wish that everyday would be Valentine's Day. Imagine people expressing their love and appreciation to each other everyday! Isn't that amazing? Isn't that what we all want? To love and be loved?

Yes, when we love, we intend to be happy. The world is full of pain, suffering and bitterness already. Why would I want to add to it? Why would YOU want to add to it? However, media has been brainwashing our minds that love is accompanied with hurts & pains. Our distorted reality teaches us to adopt to what is in this world. 

Many unfortunately grew up in dysfunctional families. Many think that dominance, violence, emotional pain, pride, dishonesty, resentment, bitterness, anger, unhappiness, jealousy, etc... are all part of loving. We have seen enough. We have experienced enough. When will we put a stop to it? When will we wake up from dilusion and fantasy? Is being in love enough? Is the thrill and excitement of magic enough to make it last? Is superficiality satisfying you?

Here is a common definition of love which has been taken for granted. It's depth has not been appreciated. If only everybody understands and lives by what 1st Corinthians 13 says, this world will surely be a better place.

If we only live with what 1st Cor. 13 tells us, I'm sure everyday will be Vaelntine's Day! Call me idealistic. Call me OA. Call me EMO. I don't damn care! I want a better life. I want a "little heaven" down here. Yes, it's possible! Ask MVCians. They'll tell you how close to perfect Dadz Legario's family is. His love cup overflows that everyone who comes close to him is showered with love. His home is a "little heaven" down here. It's rare, but I'm sure there are families like that too.

Why are there so much unnecessary fights? Why are there so many broken relationships? It's because so many people aren't "WHOLE." People expect to find happiness when they find the love of their lives. Fix yourself first before engaging in a relationship.I know I have no right to talk about perfect love but I have the yearning to have that kind of love. We cannot share what we don't have. We can't love without having love inside of us. Basing on my own experience, these things made me a better person. I hope it would help some of you too.

-KNOW YOURSELF

       (Luckily, we have self-awareness in nursing school. We were obliged to understand ourselves first before we were exposed to understand emotionally and mentally unstable people. So don't mess with nurses, we can drive you crazy! LOL! BTW, even if we don't get paid a lot, I'm sure many nurses will tell you they never regret becoming nurses. We understand human beings as a whole--emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually and socially.) Embrace and accept everything about yourself. Denying your weaknesses, covering up your imperfections, and rationalizing about who you are will get you stuck where you are. Fully understanding yourself will make you understand the world around you. Understanding is a foundation in forming relationships.

-LEARN FROM OTHERS' MISTAKES

       Yes, experience is the best teacher. Sometimes the experiences are so ugly that instead of making you learn, it destroys you slowly. Wise people know that they don't need to go through unnecessary pain to learn important lessons in life. If you have been foolish, or have been a victim, move on. Ugly memories and experiences are part of you. They should have taught you lessons. They should have made you a better person, not bitter.

-PRACTICE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

        A relationship is not a relationship if you don't communicate. It's sad that emotions are clearly seen on Facebook statuses. No wonder there are so many broken relationships these days. #1 reason--ineffective communication.

-READ BOOKS

        Rich knowledge and wisdom is found in the large jungle of diverse books. Self-help books are very powerful. Most importantly, the Bible and E.G. White books have clear instructions on how to handle relationships and live a better life. If only we strive to read, pray and spend more time with Jesus, this world would surely be a better place.

-GOD IS OUR EXAMPLE

        We are imperfect. No one's perfect. We even want to be loved just the way we are. We long for someone who would never try to change us. But everyday should be a quest to be Christ-like. It is only through being Christ-like that we would be able to overcome all the temptations, insecurities, bitterness and natural tendencies to do evil. It is only by being Christ-like that we become better people. It is only by being Christ-like that would make us able and capable of having a "little heaven" down here.

If I can't have a "little heaven" down here, then it's pointless to have relationships. I might just end up hurting myself and other people. What about you?