“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” ― Lao Tzu
Love changes us. It causes us to do things we wouldn’t normally do.
Andrew Lloyd Weber, the wonderful composer, understood the significance of love. He once penned these lyrics:
Love, Love changes everything:
Hands and faces; Earth and sky.
Love, Love changes everything:
How you live and how you die.
I can also attest to the fact that love changes us—that people who are in love follow through with actions they never would have imagined.
When I was in college, my interests were narrow. I liked sports… well, and video games. But mostly sports. I enjoyed playing them. I enjoyed watching them on television. I enjoyed attending sporting events at every level: high school, college, professional. It didn’t matter the level and it didn’t matter the sport. I loved being there with the crowd, the teams, the atmosphere, the competition. It was what I loved to do with my time and my money.
But my wife, who I began dating at the time, enjoyed different things. For example, she liked the opera—which holds very little in common with a basketball game I might add. But she loved it. As a result, it wasn’t long before I attended. Additionally, I researched operas coming to town, I researched seating and prices, I purchased tickets, and I learned to appreciate the theater. I did it because I loved my wife. And love changes us. It causes us to do things we wouldn’t normally do.
In addition to the opera, I have visited in-laws on major holidays. I have sat on benches in women’s clothing stores. I have given up my umbrella during rainstorms. I have put a Stevie Wonder CD in my car’s CD player. I have spent my life’s savings on a wedding ring. And I have committed the rest of my life for richer or poorer in sickness and in health to one person, my wife, Kim. My love for her has changed me forever.
Now that I have children, I have seen my love for them change me as well. As a result, you may find me curled up in a little ball hiding in a closet waiting for my daughter to find me. You may find me curled up on a pink bed thoroughly engaged in a Junie B. Jones book. Or you may find me spending an evening at the kitchen table working on 4th grade geometry. Again, things I wouldn’t normally do.
But I do them today because I love my kids and I love my wife. And love changes everything. May it find opportunity to change you.
Image: dprotz
Mark Adam Douglass (@MADouglass) says
Simply Beautiful.
Thanks you for sharing your love with us.
Terry Hadaway says
One of the greatest expressions of love is sharing our creativity with others. Whether it be the art of brewing coffee or a painting, the sharing of our lives requires the sharing of our time. And that is the real currency of love. Slow down and love someone today!
Aditya says
“I learn something new about Love everyday;that is how beautiful life is”
I think love is that bond that holds the world together. Although love can the love that one has for his wife, son, daughter , dog, mother or father, Love can also be felt for the Earth, the trees, the water and for humanity in general.
I makes me think of the love that people feel for underprivileged kids across the world. So many people dedicate their lives to orphans and malnourished kids and yet lives a life of anonymity, One such blessed soul was Mother Theresa.
I also have a lot of respect for the people who have love for trees. Each and every day there is so much deforestation and destruction to creates Apartments, sky scrapers and townships.
I think we really need more loves in this world, because Love really does change Everything!
Alexis says
The only important love is the love you have for yourself. It is the most valuable love of all. No other love can sustain you or help you grow.No spouse can love you as you need to love yourself. I do not believe that you can love others until you know and love yourself. You accomplish this by living alone, doing personal growth work and experiencing life without depending on others. People that live their lives based only on love do not know who they are.
Matt says
Well said. Very true.
The Maui Taoist says
Lao Tzu….. sublime wisdom indeed!
Pilar Rodriguez says
Love it! : )
Norma Gabriel says
Excellent article, Josh.
Cullen Carter says
Excuse the proselytizing:
Christians believe that “God is love” (1John4;8). Th
Brenda says
What a beautiful post! My husband and I ask each other what we can do to make each other feel loved in a way that no one else has loved us. I look forward to sharing his interests and deepening our love as the years go by.
Diane Balch says
Your love for your wife brought a tear to my eyes.