So exactly what is LOVE?

I have been asking this question a lot lately. Perhaps it is because I yearn for a deep romantic love, love for companionship that has a deep connection, or am I just in love with the idea of being in love! I am a single gal currently and not due to the lack of trying to meet folks and establish those connections for continued and/or prolonged relationships. Who knows for sure … I keep telling myself I am ready for a partner. I had been in a relationship for a long time less then a year ago and I thought that was love. But that relationship was mentally, physically and spiritually taxing. In fact, it was down right toxic. I put up with a lot of bull shit and abuse and mistreatment. I tried to accept him with all his faults, I even tried to change him but it only made me sick and more miserable. It was an illusion, the hope that things would have gotten better only if he changed and got the help he needed. I got help with my codependent nature, and realized the only person I have to power to change was myself. So I had to change my ‘stinking thinking’ and say its time to develop a love affair with myself. This reminds me of the law of attraction and that like attracts like. If I am good to myself then I will attract some goodness into to my own life. I have been pretty good to myself but I still have more to go. The worse thing I do is this ‘negative self talk' thing, thinking I am not good enough, small enough, smart enough, and don’t have much to offer. I got to stop this thinking because I am enough, and I am good enough! I am getting better and I have lots of love to give, and I have a big heart and I am a good person. I just need to remember that I guess what I am trying to express to the universe is that I am ready to be happy again and be in a meaningful relationship. And if the Gods see fit can they like send me a nice guy who is more then willing to meet half way and accept me for who I am and visa versa.


Now that I am done with the shameless plug of asking for a partner to share my life with, lets answer the above question. So what exactly is love? I know there are all kinds of love and not just romantic love so I thought I would share a few things the Greeks have come up with about love. So without further ado here we go!

There are several Greek words for love, as the Greek language distinguishes how the word is used. Ancient Greek has four distinct words for love: agápe, éros, philía, and storgē. However, as with other languages, it has been historically difficult to separate the meanings of these words. Nonetheless, the senses in which these words were generally used are given below.

• Agápe (ἀγάπη agápē[1]) means "love" (unconditional love) in modern day Greek, such as in the term s'agapo (Σ'αγαπώ), which means "I love you". In Ancient Greek, it often refers to a general affection or deeper sense of "true love" rather than the attraction suggested by "eros". Agape is used in the biblical passage known as the "love chapter", 1 Corinthians 13, and is described there and throughout the New Testament as sacrificial love. Agape is also used in ancient texts to denote feelings for a good meal, one's children, and the feelings for a spouse. It can be described as the feeling of being content or holding one in high regard.

• Éros (ἔρως érōs[2]) is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. The Modern Greek word "erotas" means "intimate love;" however, eros does not have to be sexual in nature. Eros can be interpreted as a love for someone whom you love more than the philia, love of friendship. It can also apply to dating relationships as well as marriage. Plato refined his own definition: Although eros is initially felt for a person, with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself. Plato does not talk of physical attraction as a necessary part of love, hence the use of the word platonic to mean, "without physical attraction." Plato also said eros helps the soul recall knowledge of beauty, and contributes to an understanding of spiritual truth. Lovers and philosophers are all inspired to seek truth by eros. The most famous ancient work on the subject of eros is Plato's Symposium, which is a discussion among the students of Socrates on the nature of eros.

• Philia (φιλία philía[3]) means friendship or brotherly love in modern Greek. It is a dispassionate virtuous love, a concept developed by Aristotle. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. In ancient texts, philos denoted a general type of love, used for love between family, between friends, a desire or enjoyment of an activity, as well as between lovers.

• Storge (στοργή storgē[4]) means "affection" in ancient and modern Greek. It is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring. Rarely used in ancient works, and then almost exclusively as a descriptor of relationships within the family. It is also known to express mere acceptance or putting up with situations, as in "loving" the tyrant.

Note: Definitions derived from Wikipedia