(Before writing this blog post, I read articles on love at Science for the Greater Good )
Love comes in many forms, self-love, friendship, romance, love of family, friends, strangers, spiritual love, and more. Here’s what forms of love have in common:
- a deep unselfish commitment to nurture the other person, even to put their interests over your own.
- Emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions – we feel connection, warmth, and belonging, we perceive others deeply – knowing and understanding them well, and we show our love through caring and kind actions.
Love is important to leading a flourishing, meaningful life. Research shows that love strengthens us physically, psychologically, communally, and globally.
How can we cultivate love? Scientists suggest these actions
- Give undivided attention – in today’s world, we tend to have one eye on our phones and the other on what’s in front of us. Put electronic devices away and appreciate the miracle of the person in front of you.
- Listen deeply – hear not only the words people say, but the way they say them, what they don’t say, their body movements, the vibrations in the room. Listen with a passion to understand.
- Share your experiences – listening to each other helps us broaden our world and helps us build warmth and compassion, even with someone from a different background.
- Practice gratitude – when people acknowledge kind things others have done they feel increased joy and connection.
- Recall acts of compassionate love – remembering experiences of kindness can shift perspectives and foster warmth and acceptance, even amongst strangers.
- Find common ground – even small commonalities can unlock our natural compassion and generosity.
Love makes us feel better and stronger, builds close relationships and communities, and brings peace to the world.
In your journal
- Write about a loving relationship you have or have had.
- Make a list of kind things people have done for you.
- Choose one way to cultivate love and describe how you will practice it this month.