By G.I.N.A. (Game Is Not Allowed)
What is it about this mysterious four letter word that has the power to change a person’s entire outlook on life? A simple word that brings about waves of tumult and emotions so erratic people lose their lives because of it. What is it that makes us suckers for love?
As a young writer I had made up my mind L.O.V.E was an acronym which meant Loss of Valuable Emotions. In the sixth grade I was unseasoned in romance so I’m sure this epiphany came as a result of an unrequited crush. Yet even in adolescence I quickly figured out this four letter scoundrel was a menace. Of course as I matured, I learned love is not supposed to hurt; its purpose isn’t to be mean or harmful. Try explaining that to the millions of hearts left battered and broken in its wake. Love slinks in like a thief in the night and snatches our dreams of fairytale endings.
No matter the devestation, we willingly invite this bandit into our hearts. As human beings we long for the tender affection and passion of another, it is ingrained in our DNA. Many of us work hard to avoid a close encounter of the romantic kind (I’m playing dodgeball with love myself). However, as with death, when it is your time there is nothing you can do about it. That’s the scary part.
Not long ago, an acquaintance of mine commented that she had never been in love. I was surprised. This woman is in her late twenties. While 20 is by no means old, it is definitely mature enough to have crossed paths with the the scourge at least once. Then I thought “at least she doesn’t have to live with the nasty battle scars love can leave.” She was lucky, Cupid hadn’t done that drive-by. She could still be optimistic about her romantic future. Bitterness and apprehension had not taken her over or rendered her emotionally unattainable to a prospective beau. However, she’d never felt the nauseating feeling of rejection and heartbreak. At this stage in life what effect would a possible broken heart have on someone inexperienced in the hypocrisy of love.
There I was all worked up over someone elses’ issue; something she probably could care less about. This is what love does, draws us in and captivates even as we witness the budding (or crumbling) love of others. 
As with any dark cloud there is a silver lining. In the right situation love is wonderful; a deluge of happiness that drenches us in anticipation of what is to come. An enigma that effects people in various ways. Lives have been created, destroyed and lost in the name of love. Despite the adverse possibilities, many of us are still inclined to jump feet first into the prospect of (insert your romantic vision here).
So what exactly is it about this sensation that we can’t live without? The reality is love is the sustenance we need to survive. Like Michael Jackson song said, “It’s the falling in love that’s making me high…” We like “falling” for someone new; new promises of happier days and sleepless nights; the fear of what’s to come and the bravery to face it good or bad. This is what keeps us coming back for more, the hope that the next time will be different. Unfortunately “…It’s the being in love that makes us cry.” Love is a double edged sword that can carve lovers’ names in trees or emotionally slice us to our cores, but it’s a feeling we refuse to be without.
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So true! So true!
I’ve there a time or two and it feels and sucks too.
Great article!!!! The acronym for L.O.V.E, works for me.
The pain from a failed relationship with a lover is a risk that matches the joy and excitement of being in love. Whats the point of anything without a little risk. The risk makes it all the more worth while to be in love. Being in love includes trusting someone enough to confide all the details of YOU. Of course it hurts when it doesn’t work out because that trust and bond is so personal. Love is hands down the most personal thing in this world. And when things get personal people have their ways of handling it, weather its never wanting to take the risk again or deciding that life is too short not try again. We can break it down to psychology and even unravel why it hurts so much. We create a conditional response to always be happy or aroused when we see that special someone, a stimulus to our feelings. Kinda how when dogs see food they salivate. It’s hard to get rid of a conditional response and when the relationship is over the feeling of happiness/arousal is compelling even though you know you can’t have them.
In reality, the “feeling” of love is caused from chemical reactions the body projects. These things we can’t control and are obviously natural. So why fight it?
As for Loss of Valuable Emotions, I don’t agree with it. You’re not loosing emotions from being in love. If anything your overwhelmed with them and have ample supply. And if it ends a piece of that person is forever with you, so your always gaining from a broken heart.
I feel sorry for the friend who has yet to have the experience. I believe falling in and out of love makes you stronger. The experience is like a coming of age.
As much as we break it down and try to understand it, love is always going to be around so there’s no use trying to run from it. Experiencing being in love is no easy task, but definitely worth while.