This world can be so upside down and twisted in some things. The human race has taken on this attitude that the world is always "dog eat dog" and that no one can ever really unselfishly love another. Granted, there are always benefits to loving. Or are there? We've all heard many a story about unrequited love and how its effects can destroy its owner. It seems so hard in the world today to be able to truly love someone without expecting anything from it.

Personally, I think there are two attitudes one can have on this kind of subject. Firstly, one might believe that the best thing in life is finding someone to love you, to be with you, or simply to make you feel special. But personally, this love is rather self-centered and may not get you anywhere. I have a friend who is always talking about how much he cares for his best friend. They still have problems because deep down she's in love with him, and the fact that he doesn't necessarily return the emotion causes them all kinds of mental anguish and just unnecessary grief.

Then there's the other kind of love, the one that says "Your loving me is not a prerequisite for my loving you." That's the kind of love that reaches out to help someone even if you know it will be unappreciated. There's nothing quite like seeing the face of someone you love light up when you've done something special for them or helped them out. I love that feeling...

Some say there's no greater feeling in the world than being loved. I disagree. There's no greater feeling in the world than loving, even if it is not returned. Granted, it brings grief, but if it's real love you will survive the pain and not let it get you down...In essence, it's not the getting that's important when it comes to life. It's the giving...

~October 2003