Every word that we use has its own specific meaning, some being unique to certain scenarios. At a graduation you’ll most likely hear congratulatory words. During a funeral, words of sympathy and encouragement are expressed to comfort the grieving. A minister offers words of motivation to his or her congregation and a woman may use a not-so-nice-if-this-were-TV-it’d-be-bleeped-out word after finding out her boyfriend lied to her. Words are a necessary part of everyday life; every single one serves a specific purpose. Yet, out of the many words available for our usage, one possesses a value unparalleled by the rest: love.
Do you know how much power the word love has? Let’s take a look, shall we?
Love causes:
• Stumbling over your words
• Butterflies in the stomach
• Nervousness
• Confusion
• Arguments, disagreements, fights
• Violence
• Happiness/Joy
• Good decision making
• Poor choices
• Doing things that are out of the ordinary
• Giving of oneself/Unselfishness
• Pain
• Pleasure
• Depression/sadness
I could go on and on. Love has the ability to bring out the most beautiful side of a person while simultaneously revealing his or her ugliness when it’s being used. Love can be as soothing as your man rubbing your tired, aching feet after a long day of work and as hurtful as giving your all in a relationship only for it to end with a broken heart. Love is addictive; it knows how to pull its victims in by being enticing and appealing. It understands that your needs must be met and it takes you so high you’ll feel like you’re floating on cloud nine. But love can also bring you down. It can leave you empty and alone and cause you to crave it even more.
Alone it holds much power, but love has the capability of being even more influential when it is coupled with other words. Phrases such as “love of my life,” “true love,” and “endless love” all play off a person’s emotions and cause quite the stir. One phrase, or more like a declaration, proves to be the most powerful: "I love you."
Telling another person you love him or her or having it said to you is a significant task. These three words can be monumental in a person’s life. They’re a sign of “seriousness” in relationships and can be the glue that keeps most couples together. These words signal the opening of a new door between two people and can act as the reasoning for many unexplainable actions. Why do you treat me this way? How can you forgive me after what I did? Why are you with me when you could be with someone else who is much better? This phrase is able to answer all these questions and more.
No matter how you say it; whether it’s je t'aime in French or te amo in Spanish, the word love and its phrases are very powerful throughout the world. There are many aspects to this word and it can hold a variety of definitions. Love can take on many characters and produce lasting effects, both positive and negative. Although small in size, this four letter word yields enormous results. Be careful how you use it.
Shala Marks is a summer intern with EmpowHer. She’s taking the risks of love head on.