This may be a bit of an unpopular opinion, but I don't think love is really all that complicated. There are many different forms of it and many different definitions of it, but at the end of the day, it is what it is.
Love is sharing your sandwich with someone who forgot theirs. Love is doing something thoughtful or helpful without being told. Love is putting your cell phone away while someone is bearing their soul to you. Love is giving people the freedom to be who they are and do what they love without giving them speeches on all the ways they're doing it wrong. Love is baking cookies or cupcakes and wrapping them up really nicely for someone simply because you wanted to. Love is thinking someone is the bee's knees even when they're a horrible grumpy mess. Love is making sacrifices. Love is giving ridiculously long hugs.
I could keep going, but I don't want to get annoying...
When it comes to love, whether it's love for a partner, a family member, a friend or a pet, there are simple ways to express that love.
Here are 10 ideas/reminders to show the people you love some love:
1. Be emotionally present.
Being emotionally present means being attentive and emotionally available when you're with people. Don't ignore them or constantly get distracted with other things. Be genuinely elated to be in their company. Attentiveness is one of the best gifts you can give to a person you love.
Being emotionally present means being attentive and emotionally available when you're with people. Don't ignore them or constantly get distracted with other things. Be genuinely elated to be in their company. Attentiveness is one of the best gifts you can give to a person you love.
2. Be curious before being presumptuous.
Making assumptions is a quick and easy way to create conflict and anger. Never assume anything about a person without solid evidence of its truth. For example, don't assume that your boyfriend is mad at you if he doesn't answer your text messages all day or that your grandmother disapproves of your job because she asks lots of questions about it. I'm still working on this one...
Making assumptions is a quick and easy way to create conflict and anger. Never assume anything about a person without solid evidence of its truth. For example, don't assume that your boyfriend is mad at you if he doesn't answer your text messages all day or that your grandmother disapproves of your job because she asks lots of questions about it. I'm still working on this one...
3. Be supportive.
Being supportive is one of the biggest ways to express love. Always be supportive of your loved ones' goals and dreams---even if you disagree or secretly wish they would do something else. If it makes them happy, it should make you happy too.
Being supportive is one of the biggest ways to express love. Always be supportive of your loved ones' goals and dreams---even if you disagree or secretly wish they would do something else. If it makes them happy, it should make you happy too.
4. Give without expectations.
I think it's kind of instinctual for some people to give and then hope or expect something in return. Expecting some kind of reciprocation takes the joy out of giving and may lead to resentment or frustration if that reciprocation isn't produced. Give because you want to, not because you're looking for something in return.
I think it's kind of instinctual for some people to give and then hope or expect something in return. Expecting some kind of reciprocation takes the joy out of giving and may lead to resentment or frustration if that reciprocation isn't produced. Give because you want to, not because you're looking for something in return.
5. Be thoughtful.
Be mindful of other people's feelings, and make a point to be kind and thoughtful as often as possible. Nothing says "I love you" quite like a simple act of kindness or a well thought-out expression of love or gratitude.
Be mindful of other people's feelings, and make a point to be kind and thoughtful as often as possible. Nothing says "I love you" quite like a simple act of kindness or a well thought-out expression of love or gratitude.
6. Don't judge.
Passing judgment is hurtful, and it's really not your place to judge others anyway---especially the people you love. If you have a habit of judging your loved ones, start practicing acceptance instead. Your efforts won't go unnoticed.
Passing judgment is hurtful, and it's really not your place to judge others anyway---especially the people you love. If you have a habit of judging your loved ones, start practicing acceptance instead. Your efforts won't go unnoticed.
7. Be silly.
Don't take yourself or the people you love too seriously. Have fun, be playful, and let your adventurous and childlike side come out more often.
Don't take yourself or the people you love too seriously. Have fun, be playful, and let your adventurous and childlike side come out more often.
8. Be open and honest.
Honesty is a huge contributing factor to happy, successful relationships. Be who you are, tell the truth, and don't be afraid to be vulnerable. You will feel more connected to people, and people will feel more connected to you. It's a win-win.
Honesty is a huge contributing factor to happy, successful relationships. Be who you are, tell the truth, and don't be afraid to be vulnerable. You will feel more connected to people, and people will feel more connected to you. It's a win-win.
9. Avoid petty conflict.
Don't nag, criticize, pick fights, belittle, etc. If something is no big deal, don't pick a fight over it. If someone you love does something that makes you angry, don't pull out a laundry list of all the other things they do that make you angry. If someone you love messes up, don't criticize or berate them for it. Just be nice, and avoid creating drama and conflict over things that aren't really that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.
Don't nag, criticize, pick fights, belittle, etc. If something is no big deal, don't pick a fight over it. If someone you love does something that makes you angry, don't pull out a laundry list of all the other things they do that make you angry. If someone you love messes up, don't criticize or berate them for it. Just be nice, and avoid creating drama and conflict over things that aren't really that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.
10. Practice unconditional love.
To love another person means to love all of them, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings, bad moods, illnesses, etc. Conditional love is not real love. If you only love someone at their best, you can't truly appreciate them at their worst.
<3 Madison
To love another person means to love all of them, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings, bad moods, illnesses, etc. Conditional love is not real love. If you only love someone at their best, you can't truly appreciate them at their worst.
<3 Madison
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