The power of love
Love is more than words
February 14, 2018
Love is a universal feeling that has been shared by people across continents, and across the globe for centuries. Love is something that binds families together and connects them, and romantic love or attraction within couples inspires continuous devotion. In the case of romantic relationships, people may sometimes feel a desperate need to reassure their significant other of their love or devotion through words. However, actions can serve as a powerful way to show love, whether they are acts of grandeur and elegance, or simple, quiet gestures. In addition to how significant others do things to show their love and devotion for one another, friends show their compassion and love through caring gestures just the same.
“That means [friends] care about you, and they’ll want to listen to you,” junior Graley Walter said.
While some people may value when a loved one shows their love for them instead of just simply saying it, other people may feel the opposite way towards the topic. The kind of love that is valued may just be a matter of personal perspective for every person, since everyone holds a different opinion.
“Actions can seem stronger if that person values that type of expression higher than words. People tend to have ‘different love languages’ and for some, acts of service can be the way to make them feel most loved,” NHS psychologist Jamie Johnson said.
In addition, how people respond to love, whether it is verbally stated or shown through one’s actions, could simply depend on a person’s personal perspective as well.
“[The response] is really individual to the person,” Johnson said.
In terms of the ease with which people can show their love for another, the ways in which a person can verbally state their love or compassion is rather limited, while people can show their love through all kinds of various actions.
“People can show love in all sorts of ways. Words spoken can be one. It can be shown not just in saying ‘I love you,’ but also in compliments and praising the person. Acts of service such as cooking for someone, cleaning, or doing the other person’s chores can show love as well. Other ways are through gifts, things involving physical touch, such as holding hands and hugs, and spending quality time with that person, such as by putting things aside to just be with them,” Johnson said.
Rather than just one or two types of love, people could actually have several types of love present within their lives, each of which should be kept in balance.
“You need to find a happy medium between all of them, or a balance,” Walter said.
Showing love and compassion for others in the world will not only help people to connect with one another as part of a society, but it will also help to create a better and stronger humankind.
Photo provided by: http://www.heartandstroke.ca/get-involved