What Did I Learn About “I Love You” In 2011

“I Love You” isn’t a strong like. And should not be used to complete a desperate need for validation and/or recognition.  It is simply just, Love. Love, unlike “like” can not be measured. Where there is “like”, there are boundaries, barriers, and limits to the emotions you can put into something or someone that you have to question if worth what you are willing and able to provide. 

Where there is love, there may be resistance in order to protect yourself. But when true love is felt, that fear of getting hurt, those walls built high to hide your true feelings, the “what ifs” versus the “why nots”, the past that you call “lessons learned”, will all no longer matter as much.

Even if you get hurt, at least through Love there won’t be regrets. And when those walls come down- all the strength it took to hold them up will feel like you’ve lifted a weight off what crushed your heart down. And when you begin to question your existence with “what ifs” to manipulate the “could’ves, should’ves, would’ves”, ask yourself the “why nots”, what is worth having is worth fighting for.

Don’t pretend to love someone or something because of how good it feels. At times, the one you argue with is not a potential enemy but a great challenge. Fighting for what you want, requires perseverance. Getting what you want, requires being true to yourself. We’ve always been told growing up, “what you give is what you get”. And growing up we don’t understand it much until we get older and we find the pleasure in hard work, in never giving up, in being kind to others, and earning your respect. 

You may not always receive what you give at the moment. But good deeds do not go unnoticed, noble words do not go forgotten, and truth is always appreciated. So when you feel the passion has become forced, devotions are not pure but a false requirement to please, then simply walk away with what is left of the good. 

The next time you tell someone the small phrase where so much passion, pure effort, willingness, truth, and happiness comes from truly ask yourself if you Love them. The next time you tell yourself you love some thing, ask yourself do you give it your all and more, and if you would fail would you try again or give up.