Well, here we are in February and many people are celebrating St. Valentines. It is a good time to think about love and relationships to put a little warmth in our lives after a long winter.

Today I would like to look at what love is. The English language has only one word for love, and is used interchangeably for almost everything. We can say that I love my husband and I love Chocolate.

Both use the same word, and it is only the context that we can see the difference. Greeks on the other hand, has four different words to describe love. Each word gives a different nuance to the word which helps us to understand more fully what is being talked about.

I would see you on the four Greek word for love. These are: 1) Eros2) Storge3) Philia4) Agape

Eros: The first type of love, we all know. Our English word Erotica is derived from this word. Unfortunately some people never get past this type of love and base their relations solely on sexual attraction. This is the kind of love that merchandisers tend to play with the public trying to get us to buy their products to make us more attractive to the opposite sex. Unfortunately, aromatherapy be distorted by the same people also to traffic their products. You would be surprised to see how many products are offered specifically to attract the opposite sex using aroma.

Studies have attempted to prove the theory of attraction through Pheromones is based on animal instincts. I personally feel that attracting a partner is much more than the basis of his / her smell. Actually, it was impossible for me to fall in love with my fiancà © based on smell as we met through ICQ on the Internet. It was impossible for smell to play any role in our meeting. Our relationship was based on character and friendship which later developed into love. You can say that we met each other and we just clicked (pun intended)

So the point is that erotic love is not a deep meaningful love but superficial and based on sexual attraction alone.

2) Storge: This type of affection is what we find in families between the different members. It is love mom, dad, brothers and sisters. This is a much stronger form of love and involves commitment. â € œBlood is thicker than waterâ €? and most people will do everything they can to stand behind their families.

3) Philia: This type of love is on what we might call a brotherly love. Not brotherly in the form of family, but in the sense kinsmenship. This is the kind of love that makes us want to help the little old lady cross the street safely and watch our fellow human beings. It is a good type of love and helps us to see others who need our love, but unfortunately it can often be a selfish love. Many people only show love to others if they can get something out of it. ï? Œ Fortunately, most people love out of pure motives.

4) Agape: The fourth type of love is called Agape love. This is the highest form of love exists. This is an unconditional love for others despite their character defects and weaknesses. It is a difficult lover to have simply because we as people are usually concerned more with ourselves, and how the world and people around us affect us. To love in the agape way, we must overcome our selfishness and see others’ needs. Prime examples of this type of love are people like Mother Theresa, Cardinal Leger, etc. These are people who look out for others interests above their own. It is a special kind of love to be cultivated to grow. We can only achieve this type of unselfish loving as we put others’ needs as a priority.

Without getting religious here, I’ll just tell you that there is a verse from the Bible that fits well with that concept. It is called the Golden Rule. Luke 10:27, says â € œLove your neighbor as yourselfâ €? and “Therefore, whatever you want men to do unto you, do also to them, for it is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12. All relgions of the world share this same philosophy.

One thing that stuck out for me when I read these is that it says to love your neighbor as yourself. Unfortunately many people in this day and age, donâ € ™ t love themselves. If you donâ € ™ t love yourself how can you love others? Unconditional love must start with you. You must learn to accept the fact that you are a very special and unique person. Yes, you have errors, we are all humans, but these shortcomings do not make you less of a person. Learn to love yourself despite your shortcomings and accept yourself for who you are. As you love yourself you will find it easier to love others.

The second thing that stands out is that the golden rule says to do what you want others do unto you. This is not the same as â € œDonâ € ™ t do to others what you donâ € ™ t want them to do for you. â €? It is not a position of avoiding doing evil or harm others, but a really basic principle of something for others. This requires action on your part. It says â € œDO you othersâ €?. That is, when we realize that we reap the fruits of love that we intervene in the lives of others, to make life easier and more enjoyable because we want our lives to be.

Enjoy months Love and remember always to love yourself and do something for someone each day.

Love