Many individuals meander through life searching for that astonishing declaration of love that Hollywood so fervently sells us, yet love tends to present itself not in flamboyant spectacles, but rather as subtle murmurs and humble gestures filled with immense potential. To reiterate the incredible words of the masterful Leo Tolstoy, “Where there is love, God also resides.” In essence, if we can truly unlock our hearts and minds to love, we can welcome an immeasurable, divine presence into our lives.
First and foremost, love needs to begin with self-love. We need to take time to acknowledge our individual qualities and abilities, to build a sense of acceptance and appreciation for who we are. This wisdom, famously expressed by J.K. Rowling, “It’s important to believe in yourself even if nobody else does,” serves as an incredibly powerful reminder to become our own biggest supporter before opening the doors to allowing others to become part of our cheer squad. Embrace your uniqueness, value your talents, and cherish your soul - for it is the most essential element for building the foundation of all kinds of love.
In addition, our love can outwardly be expressed through our daily interactions and tiny acts of kindness, ranging from simple smiles and gestures to meaningful conversations and comforting embraces. As Victor Hugo so poetically said, “The greatest happiness of life is the assurance of being loved”, and we have Mother Teresa to thank for her understanding that “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love”, recognizing the immeasurable power of simple acts. Just like how a single pebble causes ripples to form across the surface of a pond, our acts of kindness have a ripple effect on the world, inspiring others to be kind in return, thus forming a cycle of love that has the ability to transform our entire world. As Nicholas Sparks articulates in The Notebook, love can stir the souls of many, setting our hearts ablaze and granting our minds with peace.
Ultimately, love is an amalgamation of tenderness, acceptance and fondness that come together to form an intricate pattern. It is an expedition inwards and outwards, where we are both giving and receiving love at all times. Therefore, we must keep in mind that love does not have to come in grand gestures, but rather in those simple, heartwarming moments.
Similarly to what F. Scott Fitzgerald expressed in The Great Gatsby, “there are many forms of love in this world, yet never the same love twice” - let us relish in this incredible diversity of love, acknowledging its minor forms, and in doing so, find this incredible emotion even in the most unanticipated places. After all, the capacity to both love and be loved is the greatest light that lives within us all.