Suzie is the brains behind “Single Dating Diva ”, an award-winning blog about being single, dating and relationships. A Lebanese-Canadian, she posts monthly at StepFeed, sharing her insight about the world of love. For previous posts, click here .
Love is a great many things. Plato called it a "serious mental disease." Shakespeare said that “love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.” Victor Hugo said "the supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves – say rather, loved in spite of ourselves." Paulo Coelho wrote that "love is not a habit, a commitment, or a debt. It isn't what romantic songs tell us it is – love simply is." Love is that amazing feeling of being intensely connected to another human being. But I’ve asked myself more than once, what is love really? What did I come up with? Well, love is what you make it. Yes, you heard right. Love is what you want it to be and work toward. It can be great and it can horrible: It’s up to you. You get to pick which one it is. It really is your choice. How? With the choices you make. If you choose happiness you will be happy. You think I'm crazy for saying that? Not at all, I’m just being honest and realistic.
We spend our lives looking for that special someone to “complete us." In reality, we are looking to love and be loved…at all costs. Sometimes, loving someone, just anyone, at the expense of our true happiness, is better than nothing for some. Not for me. Love like that isn’t truly worth striving for, it’s not real, it’s not authentic. What is? Love that is intense, passionate, all-encompassing and interconnected is worth the trouble. One thing love does do is make us do stupid things ... but is it all worth it? Does that momentary feeling of euphoria make up for the countless days of potential hardship and misery? When I think back on all the times I have been in love and all the times I’ve been brokenhearted, I still say yes, it is worth the trouble. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Sometimes I do wonder if falling in love was worth all the pain I felt losing those that I have loved. Isn't it just easier to be alone? Sometimes I think that yes it is easier ... but is it really what we should strive for? I, for one, like being with someone. I like loving and being loved. Why? Because love knows no boundaries or distances and it’s the best feeling in the world. Love simply is what it is AND it’s worth every good, bad and ugly. So is love worth the trouble? I read this once, and I agree “love hurts sometimes, but it is worth it. As humans, we crave human touch and love. In fact, babies can die without it. The pain love can sometimes cause is worth it for the experience of being loved and in love. Loving someone sets you up to hurt if you lose them, but if you don't love for fear of loss, what's the point of living?"
This Valentine's Day enjoy yourself whether you’re single or not. This day is to celebrate all kinds of love! Spend it with those you love most … and if you’re looking for love, remember, love IS worth the trouble!
Your Sister in Dating Bliss,
Single Dating Diva