The Actual Meaning of Love, and Why I Hate the English Language

Alright, I've had it. I was once a culprit, but I am now going to be a different man. I feel that the meaning of the word love in the English language has been degraded to a non-functional point, and I need to put a stop to it.

love

   [luhv]  Show IPA noun, verb, loved, lov·ing.

noun

1.

a profoundly tender, passionate affection for anotherperson.

2.

a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.

3.

sexual passion or desire.

4.

a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person;sweetheart.

5.

(used in direct address as a term of endearment, affection,or the like): Would you like to see a movie, love?

The English language is incomplete and folly, as well as not obeying any rules set forward by anybody but itself- sort of like the many countries that speak it. But, there is a point where there has to be another word. I am in love with my girlfriend, Lejana. I love her. This is a serious form of this word that means something emotional. And then, facebook contains billions of females, males, and whatevers saying "I love you" "I love this" "I LOOOVE THAT" etc. For what purpose and reason is there no standard whereby to measure the form of liking you have for an object other than the word 'love'?


When the Savior speaks to Peter in the New Testament, and asks if Peter "loves" him, it should read differently, and then a pastor speaks of this whole situation in this way:


The true meaning of love, as defined in the Bible, has been corrupted in the common usage of our English language and society. Most often, love is confused with infatuation - that elated, "high" feeling we get when we "fall in love". This kind of "love" is something that lasts typically less than a year, and unless replaced by true love, results in broken relationships...The Greek language (the language of the New Testament) uses two different words to describe and define love. The most commonly used Greek word translated "love" in the New Testament is "agape." This love is represented by God's love for us. It is a non-partial, sacrificial love probably best exemplified by God's provision for our rebellion:

"For God so loved (agape) the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

The gift³ of God's son as a provision for sin⁴ was given to all humans,⁵ regardless of who we are.⁶ God's love is unconditional.⁷

In contrast, our love is usually conditional and based upon how other people behave toward us. This kind of love is based upon familiarity and direct interaction. The Greek word "phileo" defines this kind of love, often translated "brotherly love." Phileo is a soulish (connected through our emotions) kind of love - something that can be experienced by both believers and non-believers. This is in contrast to agape, which is love extended through the spirit. Agape love requires a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, since the non-regenerated soul is unable to love unconditionally. Agape love gives and sacrifices expecting nothing back in return.⁸

(http://www.godandscience.org/love/what_is_love.html)

I have to agree here with the self proclaimed Pastor Deem. What a beautiful way to show the Savior's love for us, but in contrast, how sad it is that we don't truly understand how powerful this word is, and it is strewn about as though it has no value.

There is a quote that has been circulating the internet, one that I think stands out in this situation:

"As sex got easier to get, love has gotten harder to find"

--Anonymous

The world is becoming a place of values that are confused with all sorts of worldly ideals. It is hard to understand how much someone cares for us when someone tells us they love us if the word, and the idea means nothing to us as human beings. Satan has been able to corrupt homes, to tear apart families, to dispand all things that were good, because of counterfeiting principles, ideals, and morals. I REFUSE to let him take the one thing that reminds us why we do things for others- the idea of love. Jesus Christ died because he loved us. He did that so that we could one day stand before God, and beg for the Atonement of the Savior to allow us into His presence. That kind of love is sacred, and powerful, and CANNOT be mistaken; and while the world degrades love, I will not lose it's identity in my mind.

I will no longer use the word love as a description of something that pleases me, nor use it in a way that degrades it's meaning. I ask you to band with me.

--Brack

Iconic Images and Their Degradation of the Female Gender

This idea was brought to my attention tonight as I spoke with three friends of mine about varying issues of the female gender. These three friends are all of that gender, and all three of them were talking to me about different angles of life, and their individual pursuits of happiness. As I listened, and discussed differing ideas during this conversation, as well as drawing from a general overall read of girls as of recently, I discovered that there is a general disposition of the female gender that somehow indicates that they are "not good enough" and that they aren't what they are supposed to be, which causes a general outlook of pessimism. Though that looks like a long run-on sentence, that's exactly how it's come across as it's been looked at.

I've pondered this idea for a long time. Why do girls have this idea that they are not good enough? If anything, guys should be the ones that have this outlook- girls have amazing traits: the ability to care, the ability to love, the capacity to heal. Guys don't have these traits in general. The female gender in itself makes these creatures remarkable. Creatures isn't the right word. Women in general have the overall ability to be better. Their inner beauty, and abilities far surpass that of the male gender, but, for centuries, men have ruled the world. They have had control of what women think, how they dress, how they are "supposed" to look, etc.

Because of this male pressure, women feel like they have to meet the requirements set, or they won't be able to receive the attention that they want. Marilyn Monroe was a key part in the current movement of iconic imagery. Women since Marilyn have felt as though they have to match up to her style, and her scanty amount of robage. It's been a down-hill trend, and continues to curb downwards. Very few people can escape the inadequacy they feel when they are being compared to the icons of the world.

However, this iconic imagery, displayed through television, movies, music, pictures, tumblr, etc. has literally degraded the outlook of females on the world today. Very few females that I have talked to in the past 3 years are happy with who they are. Granted, there are many struggles in the world; monetary issues, familial problems, work, and others- but the iconic imagery generated by the media is a social norm that degrades the ability of females to see themselves as what they can be, and what they are. Instead of looking in the mirror, and seeing the goodness, and the incredible accomplishments they have met, they compare themselves to that imagery, and can't seem to find the comparisons.

There is not a single reason that anybody should feel inadequate. Comparisons aren't fair to anybody. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder- beauty can be seen in any sense, and any light. Just because the world thinks that everyone should look like media-worshipped unrealistically built stars doesn't mean it's required. There is so much more in the world that matters than looks, and gaudy prowess. Life is more than a dog-eat-dog competition to be the most beautiful. Life is meant to discover who we are- deciding who we want to be, what we want our legacy to be, and how we want to be remembered, and then going out and doing it.

So this is my message to all the girls in the world, and I hope many will see it. Don't let anyone else tell you what, and who you should be ever again. There is so much ability, and capability in each and every one of you. Beauty isn't a general decision, it's an action, and it's created by you. Love who you are, and love will find you.

--Brack

The Plot Thickens

It's late. I'm currently in the middle of dealing with a few points of frustration on multiple fronts that have occurred from bad communication on my part. It sucks when you're the one that messes everything up on a consistent basis because you can't figure out how to communicate. I feel, often, that I would have made a magnificent court jester in the olden days. All I'd have to do is open my mouth, and the idiocy would probably just naturally come.

That's right, check out the awesome costume I would have worn!

Today is a game day as well. We play Chaminade tonight, which is a big game for us. These inter-island games are huge. The teams and the refs seem to have a lot of stake in these games for some reason. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I can't wait to play!

That's all for now. It's bedtime.