Relationships: Lust, Love & Infatuation

Believe it or not many people are confused about what these actually mean in the realm of human relationships. People on a daily basis are involved in relationships thinking they are in love, when in reality it's just lust or infatuation. Let's take a look at what each of these entail when it comes to relationships.

Lust-

Okay, so this might be the very first feelings one might have in the beginning of meeting someone. Lust is a physical reaction to someone we see, and have specific thought s about, without really knowing who that person really is. It's a natural sexual desire to physically couple with someone we are attracted to. Lust has little to do with loving someone, or for that matter even admiration, or respect. There is no feeling for that person as an individual, or someone special. Unfortunately many people confuse this strong sexual desire with something more than it actually is. Because love too can also cause someone to have strong sexual desires for that person this is where the confusion may lie. One must remember though, love may lead to lust, but lust may not necessarily lead to love. Couples that truly only have lust for each other quickly find out when the newness of the sexual relationship starts to dissipate, and the lust starts to fade, they may not even like each other. Lust is a very poor reason to establish a relationship. However, if both agree that's all it is, and are happy with the arrangement, than no harm is done, as long as both are being totally honest.

Infatuation-

Infatuation is usually based on what someone believes about an individual that may or may not necessarily be true. Infatuation can also be an embellishment of the other's qualities. How many times have you heard someone say that he/she is just infatuated with a particular person? Although a little fantasy about a favorite college professor, a boss at work, or a drop dead gorgeous neighbor is nice, it has little to do with reality, or real love. It's more like a romanticized fairytale that we like to have to escape the real world, or that which we really desire and not yet have. Infatuation is a wonderful feeling, but the problem is that person you are infatuated with will eventually fall off that starry eyed pedestal you have put them on. My though it as far as infatuation is concerned, enjoy it, and leave it as it is, no more than that. This way your little fantasy can stay intact and not crumble before your eyes. Some things are just better left alone, and not taken any further.

Love-

Ahh, the best one of all. Real love not only includes a little bit of lust and infatuation, but many other things as well. It's a deep respect and caring for that person and what is important to them. It's an admiration of who that person is, and how that person makes you more than you could have ever been without them. A genuine and deep caring for that person's well being. A commitment to being there for them no matter what. An ability to give up what may be important to oneself in order make them happy. It's the joy you feel when you spend time with that person, and share who you are with each other. It's knowing that life would not be as satisfying without them. It's knowing deep in your soul that if they weren't there anymore, a piece of you would be missing. Love is a oneness that can only be understood by those who are lucky enough to have experienced it.

Lust, Love and infatuation are so different it amazes me how anyone could ever confuse them. However, as I have seen many times in my life, few people truly understand the meaning of real love!