When to use the word 'Love'

[M.D. Holloway]

Granted, love is a strong word. Should it be used freely in describing strong feelings or for only the most intimate and special?

Can we love a food? A car? A friend? Can we love on many levels? Sure, of course but what does it mean to love someone?

I have had friends tell me they 'love' me. It is in a non-sexual way. But is it love?

I have had past girlfriends say the same. Is it infatuation or true love?

It seems like a word that gets thrown around. I don't mind hearing it or saying it. I use the word to describe a strong, unconditional feeling I have - towards friends, family and loved ones and yes, I do feel a type of love towards objects. I love my Targa regardless of her faults!

So should 'love' be used haphazardly or only on those things that are important to us regardless of their behavior or performance?

[Tobra]

Love is a word that should not be used haphazardly, but it should be used often.

[porsche4life]

I have friends that will be in a relationship for like a week and are all about Love in their posts on FB... I'm like you idiots... Sure enough its always over in less than a month...


Of course I am rather crass on the subject. I thought I had found it once, I was wrong.....

[Geronimo '74]

You can love just about anything, but when you love a SO, you better mean it...

[Brando]

I tell my mom I love her when I say goodbye.
Same for my Very Significant Other too.

Maybe my sister if she isn't being a brat.

[rusnak]

Love is multi dimensional, and takes many forms.

[look 171]

I love the "chest" thread. No, really, I mean it.

[Aurel]

Love and fear are the two fundamental emotions and energies that rule the human life, and beyond. Fear is a low vibration that takes us away from the creator, love is a high vibration that takes it closer to it. It is pretty much as simple as that, but it takes a lifetime or many more to master it.

[GH85Carrera]

Luby, you are asking the question that thinkers of the world have pondered.

I have no statistics except what I can make up but I bet most of the music in the world is about love, and love lost.

Virtually every work of fiction has a love interest as part of the plot. Every war movie or western always has the love interest sub plot.

There is no definitive answer to your question. If you can write a book that explains it perfectly to everyone you will have written the biggest best seller ever.

[Rot 911]

I tell my wife and daughter I love them every day.

[Superman]

Perhaps the most glaring weakness in the English language is that we have this word "love" that covers about two dozen different feelings. Sexual love. Brotherly love. Car love. Eskimos have more than a dozen words for "snow."

[Bobbi66]

Love is probably the most intense human emotion. A strong emotional connection to something or someone. Some say "romantic love" is critical to our survival, to have that safe emotional connection to another.

Aurel, have to agree with you. I believe love and fear drives all human behavior. To love unconditionally the ultimate goal. To love freely and expect nothing in return...

Yes, it may take a lifetime to master. I for one, will never stop trying.

[URY914]

I love this thread.

[tangerine911S]

I think too much thought is given to the word love. Too much of reserving it and debating whether or it can be used or if its real. Love is a feeling. If you think you feel it, then its love.

[Por_sha911]

I love ribeye steaks and I love my wife but not in the same way. The "problem" is that the English word "love" is used for too many different things. For example (please bear with me), there are different words in the Greek that were all translated to the word love:
Eros - physical or sexual love
Phileo - brotherly love or deep friendship "I love you man"
Storgay - love of family
Agape - deepest love that would do or give anything for the loved one
True agape love is seen more than heard.

Along those lines, most people say they have many friends. I contend that we all have many acquaintances but few true friends. If we get along at work and have a good time we eat lunch then we are acquaintances. A friend is someone you wouldn't hesitate to call for help even if its 3 am in the morning and snowing. Likewise, the friend wouldn't think twice about answering the call and doing whatever it takes.

[scottmandue]

Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Song : Love Is Just A Four Letter Word

Seems like only yesterday
I left my mind behind
Down in the Gypsy Café
With a friend of a friend of mine
She sat with a baby heavy on her knee
Yet spoke of life most free from slavery
With eyes that showed no trace of misery
A phrase in connection first with she I heard
That love is just a four-letter word

Outside a rambling store-front window
Cats meowed 'til the break of day
Me, I kept my mouth shut,
To you I had no words to say
My experience was limited and underfed
You were talking while I hid
To the one who was the father of your kid
You probably didn't think I did, but I heard
You say that love is just a four-letter word

I said goodbye unnoticed
Pushed towards things in my own games
Drifting in and out of lifetimes
Unmentionable by name
After searching for my double, looking for
Complete evaporation to the core
Though I tried and failed at finding any door
I must have thought that there was nothing more absurd
Than that love is just a four-letter word

Though I never knew just what you meant
When you were speaking to your man
I could only think in terms of me
And now I understand
After waking enough times to think I see
The Holy Kiss that's supposed to last eternity
Blow up in smoke, its destiny
Falls on strangers, travels free
Yes, I know now, traps are only set by me
And I do not really need to be assured
That love is just a four-letter word

Strange it is to be beside you, many years the tables turned
You'd probably not believe me if told you all I've learned
And it is very very weird, indeed
To hear words like "forever" plead
so ships run through my mind I cannot cheat
it's like looking in a teacher's face complete
I can say nothing to you but repeat what I heard
That love is just a four-letter word.

[Joeaksa]

I really love my 911 today. Took it out and ran it out to the redline in the first three gears, putting a very nice smile on my face.

Did the same thing (pretty much) with the airplane yesterday and same reaction.

Also love the "panty" thread but its just not the same... but could be!

[slow&rusty]

I love the raw acceleration of my Datsun Z to 60mp/h in 4secs.

[Schumi]

[Laneco]

Use "love" at every opportunity with children or dogs.

angela