If I asked you to give me a formal definition of the words “Sweet Love”, what would it be? Or, would you try and give me an example? Is that how you would define the meaning? We do use comparisons and examples to try and explain what we are trying to convey or mean. Finding love quotes and love poetry is easy. Finding a formal definition is not easy.
Let’s see if we can narrow this down. Merriam-Webster Dictionary says, “Full Definition of SWEET 1. a (1) : pleasing to the taste (2) : being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is typically induced by disaccharides and is mediated especially by receptors in taste buds at the front of the tongue — compare bitter, salt, sour.”
“2. a : pleasing to the mind or feelings : agreeable, gratifying —often used as a generalized term of approval (how sweet it is.”
The Oxforddictionary.com says, “Love is “NOUN, 1. An intense feeling of deep affection: “babies fill parents with intense feelings of love” synonyms: deep affection · fondness · tenderness · warmth · intimacy.”
“VERB, Feel a deep romantic or sexual attachment to (someone): “do you love me?” synonyms: care very much for · feel deep affection for · hold very dear.”
By combining the two, we would have a formal definition of “Sweet Love.”
I believe in todays society, sweetness and bitterness both apply to many areas of our life. I have heard the old saying all my life, “You have to take the bitter with the sweet.” I don’t know who first said it, but they were smart. This not only applies to life, but applies to love. Sweet love and bitter love have different connotations.
How We Sense Love
Within our human body we have five senses. They are Sight, Smell, Hearing, Taste and Touch. We call these sense organs. We learn about our life, world and our love through these senses. Our senses are the means of understanding new concepts and gaining knowledge. This is a life long process.
1. How does the eye of sight see love? Sight senses light, motion and color. Many say, “The eyes are the window to the soul.” Sight allows us to see beauty, outward and inward. Vision opens our eyes to the world. The visual aspect, stimulates the senses with passion, desires and love.
2. How does smelling perceive love? Smelling is part of our breathing process. Smell can make you hungry. Smell gives us pleasant or unpleasant odors. Smell can detect natural body fragrances or odors. Different smells create different sensations. Pleasurable smells and sensations are desired with love.
3. How does the organ of hearing, listen to love? Hearing gives us the ability to hear sounds. We enjoy listening to music. We communicate and reciprocate our thoughts, desires and intentions. Hearing is also responsible for maintaining our balance or equilibrium. We hear, perceive and process words of love.
4. How does taste understand love? Smell and taste work closely together. If you cannot smell something, then you cannot taste it. Taste allows us to distinguish sweet and bitter in powerful ways. We can taste the touch of passion and love in every kiss.
5. How do the feelings of touch desire love? Touch detects pain or pleasure. Touch detects heat, cold and temperature. Touch is very sensitive throughout the entire body. Touch excites strong and powerful emotions. Touch allows us to feel passion and love.
Our five senses protects our bodies in many ways. It protects you from harm and keeps each person safe.
All 5 stimulates the senses and sensations. Love is there to be enjoyed, and experienced. We sense life and love.
Sweet Love is the most desired effect from our five senses.
Where Does Love Operate In The Body
We are more than just our senses. The sense organs live in our body. We have one body which is physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual. We operate, grow and develop in these areas every day. Love also grows and develops in each area of our life. These are not separate entities, they are all part of one body. What affects one area does affects the other areas.
May I give you a simple, silly example and yes it did happen. I had a hammer and a nail. I wanted to nail down a board. I hit my toe with the hammer (Physical). I fell on my rear end holding my toe. Loud words came out of my mind through my mouth (Mental). Hurt and pain caused tears to come out of my eyes (emotional). It all happened within five seconds.
This is how we live life in our body. We search for love that will meet our needs in each and every area of the body. A total love, one that will be whole and complete. We crave a sweet love, that will bring a close, emotional, intimate relationship. Life and love are intertwined and cannot be separated.
Bitter Love
Bitter love is the opposite of sweet love. It is negative by its source. It is painful and unpleasant. It brings grief, disappointment and resentment. Bitter love often becomes destructive, violent and hostile. It creates grief and animosity. I think too many who are stuck in a relationship with bitter love are controlled and abused.
Statics show men and women are both the victims of domestic violence and abuse. More women are the objects of bitter love and abuse than men. WebMD.com says, “Domestic violence is not about size, gender, or strength,” says Jan Brown, executive director and founder of the Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men. “It’s about abuse, control, and power, and getting out of dangerous situations and getting help, whether you are a woman being abused, or a man.”
The five senses are stimulated in negative ways, not positive ways. This also affects every area of the body. Physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. This so called love does not grow. It is not beneficial, it deteriorates.
I hear so many say, “What does not kill you only makes you stronger.” I disagree. I have seen too many who have been broken and shattered from abuse and bitter love. It leaves scars that do not heal and are unseen.
The Heart Of Love
What is the heart of love? It is not the small organ in our chest that pumps blood. The true heart is the mind, the will and the emotions of each individual. It is the seat of all our affections or sensibilities and a source of life. It is also the seat of our understanding and will. Love is natural and we are all born with the capacity to love.
I talked about sweet and bitter love. The consequences and effects of it. I have talked about what love is and how it stimulates and excites our senses. I talked about how love operates in every area of our body. I talked about the true heart and where it is located. Love takes in all of our being and is joined with life.
I wanted to try and give a formal definition of sweet love. I am a dictionary person. I believe words are powerful and have meaning. I look to those who are smarter and more educated than me for definitions and meanings. I do see in comparison how new words and meanings have developed relating to love and its nature.
What is true love? Many say love is hard to define or grasp, they break love down into different forms. They separate it into categories such as infatuation, lust, sex, or romance. I like the ones who say, Love is better felt than told.” Maybe no can define love and its deepest meanings. Loves concepts are a never ending experience.
CONCLUSION
I think everyone tries to express love through association, experience or opinions. That is how each person defines love. Regardless of what form of love you call it, I understand how love operates and where it is located. That is what this article is all about.
I believe love should not hurt. Life and love are the two greatest gifts we were ever given. I do not think such a great gift was given to be bitter. It was given to be “Sweet Love.” Here is still the greatest definition of love!
(NIV I Corinthians 13:4-8) “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.” That is Sweet Love and it is Eternal.
Your thoughts, opinions and comments are welcome, leave them here. If I can help you then let me know.
If I can help you then let me know.