I once read that emotions should be regarded as trusted servants, that we need to carefully listen to them then decide whether or not a response is required. So many time folks seem to be controlled by their feelings like a bit in the mouth of a horse.
Often what one sees as a "feeling" is really not a feeling at all. Such is the case with love.
Love is a "strong attraction... a warm attachment... an unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for others," according to Merriam-Webster. Sex is often confused for, and can be an manifestation of, love, but is not love itself.
It is easy to see why love gets labeled as an emotion. Because , just like an emotion, love is not going to stay un-expressed. It is either voluntarily given- which gives one control on how it is expressed- or it just flies out any way it can. Many times it is a combination of the two!
Dr Martin Luther King showed his love by marching for change. My father showed his love by collecting food in dented cans that could not be sold and distributing them to poor folks. Many times have I seen a mother and/or father tear up, seeing the decent food their kids will eat that night.
You can tell when someone "loves" their vehicle. Their actions are visible and sometimes striking. A horse that is bone thin and forgotten can never be considered "loved."
In the recent headlines there was a story about parents that allowed their child to die, opting to pray instead of using medical science. Did they love their child? Dogma indeed has the power to kill, as 9/11 proved.
Part of my job description is attending deliveries of babies. I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist and any delivery that is deemed "high risk" must have an RT present. This gives me a front row seat to one of life's most personal moments
My job in preparing for a Cesarean Section is assembling the various items required to maintain the baby's airway should they be needed, and to dry and stimulate the baby in order to help him or her breathe on their own. A lot of it is waiting as mom is wheeled in and prepped. She knows what is about to happen.
She will be transferred from the gurney, which is usually the bed from her Labor & Delivery room, to the OR "table." She is leaned forward in order to place a needle into her spine for administration of anesthetics. Then mom-to-be is slowly returned to a supine position and her arms are stretched out onto extensions that have been attached to the table and strapped down. This is to keep her from placing her arms into the soon-to-be-sterile field where her baby will enter the world. A drape is placed across her chest and suspended between two IV poles on either side of the table.. This is when she begins to stare up at the ceiling. I often wonder what is going through her mind.
The incision area is shaved and sterilized. The baby is extracted and quickly brought to my "table," which is a open warmer- the same used in the NICU. It has no lid. This makes the baby very accessible. All this time, every second, mom is looking over at us, completely oblivious to what is going on behind the drape- to her very own body.
If she is fortunate enough to have someone with her, dad or grandma usually, this person is also looking over at us, often coming over for a closer view. There is a lot of joy. There is a lot of love.
Love is listed in the dictionary as a noun, but I hope I have shown that is actually a verb. This is because, if it is not acted on, it does not exist.
» left by Susan Thom(8,379) Susan Thom (142 days 11 hours ago.)
hi ken,
i think this was a smooth, well written, interesting article, and i couldn't agree with you more.
the noun of love has to be activated into the verb, for it to be shared and embraced. thanks for sharing with us,
best regards,
sue thom Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz (142 days 4 hours ago.)
Hi Ken, what a wonderful article. Along with love being a verb, it also is a decision. We have to choose to love. What a wonderful job you have!! Now that is love in action!! I enjoy your articles. Keep writing. Blessings to you. Teresa Respond to this comment
» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr.(4,616) Robert Melaccio, Sr. (141 days 9 hours ago.)
You mean your works, right? Yes how true it isn't what you profess. One can wonder how many times a night people utter those words while having sex I love you and after it go back to who they really are. Yes, professing is one thing doing another. Good job, enjoyed it. Respond to this comment
» left by Ken McCreless(246) Ken McCreless (137 days 8 hours ago.)
Thank you. What a world we would have if only more folks took that approach. Respond to this comment
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