The Secret of Loving and Being Loved

Love is a group of behaviors and emotions characterized by emotional intimacy, passion, commitment, and emotional bonding. It typically involves emotional care, emotional proximity, attraction, trust, protection, adoration, passion, delight, and joy. Love is normally associated with an array of positive emotional states, such as excitement, happiness, life fulfillment, and ecstasy. It’s the feeling that “I am loved” or “I matter.”

Love differs from sexual intimacy in a variety of ways. Romantic love involves emotional closeness and intimate thoughts and feelings with another person. In contrast, erotic love and lust are more sexual oriented and involve only a short period of intimacy. While love continues long after the initial romantic encounter, passionate love usually ends quickly because the feelings and emotions related to it are intense and the person is in a state of continuous alertness. Intimate attachments that develop over time often result in a fulfilling long-term relationship.

Many of the common romantic thoughts and feelings are not appropriate for all relationships. Feeling love for another person involves feelings of dependence, dependency, responsiveness, concern, devotion, honor, loyalty, intimacy, trust, and passion. As with any relationship, there are always some “what ifs?” Potential problems might include cheating, infidelity, rejection, fear, insecurity, power struggles, arguments, fights, resentment, power play, disrespect, rejection, or even boredom. In all these cases, love relationships require special care to avoid the common pitfalls.

The most common mistake people make in romantic relationships is to focus only on the physical attraction and forget about the emotions and intimacy that go along with it. Physical attraction is an important part of a relationship. However, we must remember that our emotional bond is what will make the relationship strong and lasting. If we lose the desire for intimacy then our physical attraction will dwindle and we will have lost the true essence of what makes us feel romantic and loved. Physical attraction may be the initial catalyst to beginning a relationship, but without deep feelings and caring, the physical attraction will wane and then our relationship could suffer.

Emotional intimacy and the feeling of deep compassion and respect for another person is what will give our relationship the depth, richness, authenticity, and the substance it truly is. We need to find time to connect with our spouse, child, parent, sibling, friend, or friend. When we do this, we give attention and energy to our other relationships in the same way as we give our intimate relationships priority. When we are together, we spend more time together than with our other relationships. When we are apart, we spend less time together.

As two people enter into a loving and mutually connected partnership, they become one. Attraction and passion blossom when two people reach each other at their most vulnerable. The expression of love and affection is the beginning of a deep and fulfilling relationship. The secret of strong and lasting relationships is giving time and energy to our most beloved ones. The secret of a fulfilling and happy life is connecting with others in the most natural and fulfilling way.