In an unusual Discord channel that often contains wildly varying philosophical views and content, I prompted
a discussion by posting a little writing of unknown origin called, "On Love." The resulting commentary
inspired me to write the following short remarks, after which I will also post the original writing even
though I usually read it very selectively to people when I think they can properly absorb and understand it.
The original writing requires a long view that many of us might not have in moments of anguish. In any case,
my comments first:
Lust says, "Who can you be to me?"
Love of self says, "Who can I be?"
Love of another says, "Who can I be to you?"
Love of God says, "What can we make of me?"
Do not be surprised that I say "we." God gave us free will; thus, we must choose to better ourselves and to
love God. If, and in, so doing, we simultaneously say, "What can I be to you," and, "What can you make of
me?" This is because we are imperfect, and God is not, which makes that final reach for God's help take us
beyond our own limitations.
And now, the original post, which I've held on one of my hard drives since 2003 but sadly without ever
knowing who wrote it:
On Love
You must remember, before, during, and after a romance, that the one
unchangeable law of love is that it must always end in tears. Even if
the love endures throughout life, perhaps in a strong, healthy
marriage, it will end with one partner standing at the graveside,
realizing that his soul is half committed to the earth. If love does
not endure to the grave, it must end in a parting that cannot be
without pain if the love was ever real.
Some misguided souls, having been seared in the candle before, decide
that they will never feel so deeply again - they forsake real love,
love without reserve, and replace it with a stunted god of love,
peering out through narrowed eyes even in moments of passion, love
through the bars, kisses wearing steel helms, with the visor locked
down. Such a resolution, though understandable, is like that of the
man who gave all his money away so he wouldn't be tempted to gamble.
Afraid to play, he made certain he had nothing to lose.
The fact that love must always end in tears is not a warning to avoid
love, it is an assurance that there is no fault in loving, and in
tears. There are no recriminations to be made, no raging at the loved
one who is gone or at the lover left behind. The end is the price we
pay for the days of passion, and the nights of gentle companionship -
the sound of a sleeping lover's breathing, the soft touch of a hand
that adores, and is adored in return. Regardless of your attention to
duty, your craft, and all your hopes, the price must be paid at the
end. It is a great love - a daring love that pays that price
willingly, knowingly, and lovingly.
Love bravely and without reserve, for you will not avoid the cost of
love by cowardice or lies. You will only make yourself unworthy of
Divinity's most powerful gift. Strive to be brave in love.The pain is
profound, and lasting, yet productive in its bittersweet way. The last
embers of real love give forth an incense, and a warm glow that draws
the muses. The end of love stirs the soul, and tempers the heart
without hardening it. Both the blessings of joy and sorrow are given
to the broken-hearted if he accepts them. The mortality of love, like
the mortality of humanity, is the best evidence of its Divine gift.
--
Doug Lee dgl@...
"There's no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he
doesn't mind who gets the credit." Ronald Reagan?
