Love is an Action Word

February 14th is recognized as Valentine's Day in America and is often treated as the day to "show" love. The commercial world benefits the most with the selling of chocolates and flowers. It is good to be remembered and shown that you are valued. It is ashamed that the inspiration has been dominated by the materialist, capitalist regime.

Love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection —"the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another". Love  describes compassionate and affectionate actions towards other humans and to  one's self.

Self-love or selfishness appears to have dominated America over the last decade. Some speak of the "me" generation, others are quick to ask, "what's in it for me". Love in the context of "long suffering" and sacrifice are stories in cheap novels. The thread that should bind families is frayed and taut. Boundaries are blurred and too often crossed.

Sex and love are very often confused. The term "love" is used to get sex and some who have never experienced the securities of genuine love do not distinguish sex (making love) and the emotion that defines love.

In abuse cases, the perpetrator of sex crimes against children exonerate themselves stating the the juvenile victim loves them. Incestual dynamics, of which I have been aware, the parent or family member violator justifies the initiation of the dynamics by saying "my daughter/ son looked so innocent and reminded me of my wife when I married her or myself at that age and I know how much I wanted someone to love me." 

The emotion of love is usually a part of humanness. Today, however, there is more talk about sociopaths who feel no empathy for others and have poor "attachment:" abilities. Profilers of serial killers often identify the killer as a sociopath. It makes me wonder.