“Love is Not Enough”

by: Angelu C. Trasadas

Love is wonderful they say. Many people define love in many ways. Nobody can deny the existence of love in this world as it does not exempt anyone. When you love, you are willing to take the risk because you are putting yourself to pain but the good thing is it draws a lot of happiness. Again, love is wonderful but sometimes love can be the cause of someone’s pain, bitterness and suffering. A lot of people see love as the solution of all their problems. But it’s not. Many of them sacrifice their happiness for others happiness because of love but is it worth it? Will you get something good in the end? The definition of love as a strong feeling of affection seems to be a worldwide fact nowadays. The truth is that it’s not just a mere feeling but rather an action, a risk that only the brave ones can take.

            However it’s not always the risk of loving that we need to take. It’s because in every life situation, change is always present and that’s another risk. As what we commonly observe in relationships entered into at a very early age, love is always what they have in mind but little did they know that they are missing out one thing? It is the maturity to handle situations especially emotions. Love is not enough in a relationship. It takes a lot of maturity and strength to overcome any trials going between relationships. It’s a misconception that when you love someone deeply, your relationship would reach eternity or that is the right person for you. That’s why we have this so-called immature and mature type of love. When love is immature, it is a sort of infatuation or extreme admiration without taking into account the problems that may come their way and sees only a perfect relationship but conditional. Mature love seeks an imperfect relationship but is full of trust and maturity. Full acceptance of each other’s flaws and unconditional love is there. They know how to properly handle their emotions and know how to make the right decisions for the betterment of the relationship.

            A relationship is like a building. It cannot be built with only one pillar of love. Love can never be enough if only one is giving all of what he/she has to the person they love. There is much more in life than love. As Mark Manson says, love does not equal compatibility; love does not solve your relationship problems and love is not worth sacrificing yourself. It is okay to love as long as you have self-respect; you still have the ability to trust and dignity. Love is messy. Love is pain but it is also hope. And when there is hope we can overcome all things.