Valentines Day & The Impact Social Media Has On Building True Love

It’s that time of the year again. February. The month of love! With Valentine’s Day rapidly approaching, there’s no time more appropriate than now to question our perception of true love, before a lot of young people get submerged in the oncoming commercial ocean.

What is Love?

The definition of ‘love’ is a strong feeling of affection or fondness. It can also mean having a great interest or pleasure in something.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but it rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes and it always perseveres.

Self love is a long journey, it is all a learning curve. I refer to love as Agape Love. Agape Love, is the love God has for man, and is seen as the highest form of love. Love is unconditional; it never fails and if it failed it was never love. Knowing who you are is the most important thing, because your values and beliefs are integral to everyday life.

Relationships

In our daily lives, love can be towards objects rather than ourselves or others. We may misconstrue what love is and lose sight of ourselves at the same time. We should love each other as we love ourselves. Love does not always have to be due to a romantic relationship, in our daily lives. Everyone we encounter should receive our care; love is respect and concern for others. It is a response to help someone who is in need.

@dhruvgajjar_

Some people in society may fixate their minds on being in relationships so quickly, when they have not even discovered who they are themselves.

The whole concept of people being ‘coupled up’ with someone else for a reason besides genuine affection for them, is wrong. For example, Winter Wonderland.

It is sad because social media does influence us in a way that we don’t even realise sometimes, by seeing others all ‘loved up’. We tend to get annoyed or disheartened, because we don’t have someone to indulge in such activities with.

Romantic feelings and sexual desires may fade over time, but real love does not falter. That is why it is so important to love yourself, it is not cliché. Loving yourself entirely can open doors, for you will be able to stand confident and find solitude in your own company.

Love and Lust

Lust may be seen as a selfish act because a person wants to fulfil their own needs. The constant stares, the compliments and the like. It is not love, it is attraction. Lust and love are very different entities. Attraction is where a person may feel a very strong sexual desire towards you. Desire for sexual intercourse is not love, it is simply a desire to act on primal instincts and natural feelings.  True love is patient; it’s supportive, considerate, forgiving and trusting. It is slow to anger, honest and hopes for the best.

True love never fails.

Whether you have a Valentine or not, always remember to successfully love another person you need to make sure you love yourself first.

Rachael Tinde