ali's Corner. [Learning To Love]

Since befriending my curly-haired, 
rock climbing buddy nearly 3 years ago, 
to beginning to date him 
amidst both of our travels to 3rd-world countries, 
to learning how to be in a Christ-centered relationship, 
to a sudden heart defect diagnosis, 
leading to a new perspective on life 
and what really matters, 
I've embarked on a brand new adventure 
with my curly-haired friend on a journey of 
learning what love actually is and what it actually is not. 
Enjoy my newest understandings of the often 
misunderstood definition of love.

Love is...

Not a feeling that results in self-gratification, but a constant laying down of oneself obtained by a choice of an outward action resulting in inner joy that spills out into others and invites them in to experience something greater than oneself. 

Humbling yourself 

with a teachable spirit 

and putting on the willingness 

to learn new things 

(not always good things) 

about yourself. 

It's being willing 

to change the ways 

you've adopted as comfort 

your whole life 

for the sake the other person, 

yourself, 

and the relationship. 

It's being on the same team,

walking towards the same 

ultimate, eternal purpose. 

It's knowing when to listen, 

when to encourage, 

when to be honest, 

and when to just stop 

to enjoy each other.  

It's learning how to be selfless 

by placing the other person's needs 

above your own. 

And it's being graceful 

and understanding 

as the other one learns this, too. 

It is holding each other, not saying a word, 
and allowing the therapeutic closeness 
to bring healing. 

Love is sacrifice.