Love: A Definition

What is love? I checked with dictionary.com and it says that love is "a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection as for a parent, child, or friend." Here's what the Oxford Canadian Dictionary says about it: "an intense feeling of deep affection or fondness for a person or thing; great liking." So, according to the dictionary, love is an emotion. But let's be specific. What is love exactly?

Love is actually many things.

First, love is patient.
It's not hurried; it waits.

Love is kind.
It avoids harsh words and gestures.

Love doesn't envy.
It makes us happy for what others have.

Love doesn't boast.
It's not proud.
It doesn't lift us above others. Rather, it makes us want to lower ourselves and be humble.

Love isn't rude.
It respects and honors.
Love isn't self-seeking.
After all, if we love someone, we'd choose their needs over our own instead of the other way around.
Love isn't easily angered.
What kind of love is bitter and angry all the time?
Love keeps no record of wrongs.
It forgives and forgets.
Love doesn't delight in evil.
It makes us want to get away from what we know is wrong.
Love rejoices with the truth.
It doesn't practice deception.
Love always protects.
It always trusts.
It always hopes.
It always perseveres.
Love never fails.

[Image via We Heart It]