What is Love? Giving Meaning to the Seemingly Indefinable Feeling of the Heart

To answer the age-old question that has baffled most people, from sweating stock brokers to incessantly occupied housewives and even giggling high school students, following are two valid definitions of real love:

Love inspires positive behavior, resulting in a constructive effect on one's personality.

This definition of love negates the infamous can't-eat-can't-sleep syndrome that is always associated with love. Some people attest that when in love, they think too much of a person that they cannot even pay attention to their fatigued eyes or rebelling stomach.

Contrary to people who believe this, the inabilities to eat properly, think clearly, and sleep normally are actually signs of infatuation, and not love. When a person is in love, he is happy and inspired to look good and do the best in any thing. People in love are inclined to look better, perhaps unconsciously, which is why we often refer to them as "blooming" or "glowing."

Have you ever experienced that feeling of being excited to wake up early in the morning and go to school to see someone? A true case in point: A boy who used to take school for granted has become studious after having a girlfriend who inspired him. His girlfriend, on the other hand, used to have a low self-esteem but has become more confident after having someone who constantly assures her that she is beautiful, smart, and talented.

Love is selfless.

A person who is in love gives affection, time, and energy without considering what will be received in return.

To break away from the usual man-woman type of love, the perfect example for this definition is a mother's love. Motherhood is a round-the-clock, exhausting, and thankless job. A mother is willing to do everything for her family, without expecting anything in return.

There are, of course, several more definitions of love. But the next time someone asks you what love is, do not fall into the overused and abused references such as love is blind. Instead, go ask yourself what it means to you. The true definition of love is subjective - it reflects on how you feel, what you experience, and who you share it with.