Is It Love? How To Tell The Difference

Love is such a little word but with so many meanings. The four-letter word appears on greeting cards, T-shirts, stickers and is the favorite subject of songs, poetry, and movies. Love helps to sell everything from perfume to pantyhose to pizza. It is no wonder people sometimes get confused about what others mean when they talk about love.

How do you define love? If you check the dictionary, you will find many definitions of the word “love”, depending on what it is you’re loving, your family, a friend or that special person in your heart. Scientists have also found a chemical in part of the brain that triggers a response to feelings of love. This means a giddy reaction to a special person in your life may be automatic.

How can you tell whether the love you feel is the lasting kind? Audrey Palm Rider and Holly E. Brisbane, authors of the book, “Married & Single Life”, highlight the difference between infatuation and love that will last :

It is NOT LOVE when…

• It happens suddenly.

• You want or plan to change the person.

• Separation causes you to forget him or her.

• Thoughts are of your own needs and feelings.

• Feelings are based on one or two qualities of a person.

• You are too much in love to eat or work.

• Differences are ignored.

• You can’t wait.

• It fades fast.

It IS Love when…

• It grows as two people get to know one another.

• You accept the person’s faults.

• Feelings endure separation.

• You put the loved one’s needs ahead of your own.

• Feelings are based on the total personality of the loved one.

• You work for your loved one, yourself, and your relationship.