By Kiran Karki Silwal
In a world where everything is exchanged online, do we still want to talk about love?
Love remains the sweetest emotion, the solution to so many of life’s problems. But the question isn’t about what or whom you love; it’s about whether you are willing to fall. Loving someone means surrendering a part of yourself. If you are too self-centered, too wrapped up in “me,” you cannot truly love anyone. To fall in love, whether with another person or with yourself, you must be willing to give, to share, and to let yourself be vulnerable.
Everyone has their own definition of love, yet true love transcends these definitions. It is devotion without expectation. The Shreemad Bhagavad Gita beautifully explains this:
vidyā-vinaya-sampanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini
śuni caiva śvapāke ca paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ
This verse teaches that true wisdom is seeing all beings with equal respect and love beyond caste, status, or form. Love is universal, and every being, human or animal, needs it.
The bond between a mother and her unborn child begins even before birth. When a fetus enters a mother’s womb, it awakens an instinctive sense of joy, care, and emotional connection. This quiet, internal love reshapes her thoughts, habits, and emotions. It is felt deeply within, not expressed outwardly. A similar truth exists in the animal kingdom. Elephants, known for their emotional intelligence, carry their young for nearly 22 months, the longest gestation period among land animals. During this time, the mother develops a profound physical and emotional bond with her calf, displaying gentleness, affection, and unwavering protection. Such examples remind us that love is innate, timeless, and selfless.
In today’s fast-paced world, however, many have forgotten what true love means. To experience meaningful relationships built on connection, security, and intimacy, one must first turn inward. Understanding your emotions, mind, body, and soul is essential. True love begins with self-love. When you nurture a healthy relationship with yourself, compassion naturally extends outward, strengthening every bond in your life.
Love manifests in many forms, yet modern society often limits its meaning to romantic relationships alone. When we expand our understanding and recognize love in all its expressions, life itself begins to transform. Parental love, for instance, is pure, sacrificial, and unconditional. Even when distance separates us, simple acts like a phone call, a visit, or genuine interest in their lives become powerful expressions of gratitude and care. As grown children, keeping our parents emotionally fulfilled is both a responsibility and a blessing.
Sibling love carries its own quiet strength. The childhood rivalries and playful arguments we remember are not signs of resentment, but proof of closeness. Beneath those moments lies an invisible thread that binds siblings together for a lifetime.
Romantic love, too, holds transformative power. A supportive partner turns life’s journey from mere survival into shared growth and joy. Marriage vows are not simply ceremonial words; they are commitments to patience, nurturing, and selfless giving. This month, instead of asking what love can offer you, reflect on what love you can give because often, the smallest gestures create the deepest impact.
Tips to Rejuvenate Your Relationship:
“Reasons I Love You” Jar:
Fill a jar with 50–100 small slips of paper, each with a reason you love your partner, a memory, or a compliment. Your partner picks one each day.
Bonus: Decorate the jar together.
Love Through Food:
Cook your partner’s favorite dish and savor it together. Surprise them with little touches, a handwritten note, a favorite dessert, or a special drink. Food becomes a celebration of love, care, and togetherness.
Friendship Love
True friends shape our lives. Nurture these connections; invite a friend for dinner, send a note of appreciation, or organize a playdate for your kids. Remind them how their support made a difference in your life. True friendship is love in action.
Compassionate or Universal Love
Beyond family and friends, love can extend to the wider world. Smile at strangers, feed children in need, serve the community, or care for street animals. Love given freely returns manifold. The universe opens doors when you act with genuine devotion.
The Essence of Love
Love doesn’t need an occasion, it only requires devotion. It asks nothing, expects nothing, and flourishes when given wholeheartedly. From parental love to friendship, romantic love to universal compassion, love sustains, heals, and transforms.
When we embrace love in all its forms, we do more than enrich others, we enrich ourselves.
“We humans are loving beings. We thrive in love. We shine in love. Give it wholeheartedly, and watch the universe bloom around you.”
