Is Love A Real Thing?

Image by tony sak via FlickrSomeone asked this question on the forums over at PlentyOfFish, so I thought I’d take it a little deeper here.

Sometimes it’s hard to comprehend “real” romantic love for some people. Especially once you’ve been really hurt, deceived, or abused by someone you felt strong love for at one point. I’ve often noticed (after the aftermath) that I had loved someone who really didn’t love me back with the same depth, or in the same way, if at all.

Is it possible that some people really aren’t capable of “real love”?

I think that our life stories are what dictate how we react to the world at any given time, and some people are more resilient than others. Personally, I’ve been told on several occasions that I’m viewed as a strong person. Even my ex (who is a Mama’s Boy with three older sisters and sure tried my strength) once told me that he felt I was the strongest woman (emotionally speaking) that he’d ever known, and he was surprised at my visibly broken heart. Wow… you know?

“One cannot give what one does not possess.
To give Love you must possess Love.”

“One cannot teach what one does not understand.
To teach Love you must comprehend Love.”

“One cannot know what one does not study.
To study Love you must live in Love.”

“One cannot appreciate what one does not recognize.
To recognize Love you must be receptive to Love.”

“One cannot have doubt about that which one wishes to trust.
To trust Love you must be convinced of Love.”

“One cannot admit what one does not yield to.
To yield to Love you must be vulnerable to Love.”

“One cannot live what one does not dedicate oneself to.
To dedicate yourself to Love you must be forever growing in Love.”

“Love” by Leo Buscaglia

Yes, I sure as hell think love is a real thing, and I think that as humans, we can love many, but only truly give our hearts to just one.