“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao-Tzu

Human beings are wired to crave for love.  And we are also born with the capacity to love, although it might a few lessons in life’s School of Hard Knocks to acquire the mindset and ability to express it.

To love and be loved is often said to be the greatest joy in life. 

We feel loved when are accepted for who we are, cared for, and supported. That gives us strength to learn, grow, and confidently face into the challenges that life throws at us.  Children who grow up in a loving environment typically develop a healthy self-esteem and confidence. 

Conversely, we love another by accepting who they are unconditionally, showing care and concern, and offering support when needed.  Loving another deeply gives us the courage to act boldly in service of our loved ones and making sacrifices for their well-being.  Parents often act selflessly to protect their children, even if it means putting themselves in danger.

Ideally, love is two-way, but it need not necessarily be so. We can love our children deeply without expecting them to love us back in the same way. However, mutuality and reciprocity between romantic lovers is vital to sustain a strong relationship or marriage. Through loving each other deeply, we give one another the strength and courage to weather life’s storms of difficulties as well as life’s greatest gift – JOY.

“Love is granting another the space to be the way they are and the way they are not.” ~ Werner Erhard