Preface

The Concept of Love

I believe in the concept of love. That undeniable release of emotion that requires and consumes every part of the human soul, a belief that has come through different experiences. The blessing of parents who love each other unconditionally, older friends finding love as they meet their soul mates and begin a life together, and my own brief opportunities of love that I have had the undeserving opportunity to experience.

            The idea of love permeates outwards so thoroughly that it can, without exception, take responsibility for every good human act ever performed. How many organizations have been started after the loss of a loved one, or lives changed in the attempt to help those we love? To love requires the full application of humankind's internal resources. The ability to state in one's head and believe that, “I know somebody loves me,” grants a feeling of peace and security unavailable by any other means. Life becomes more full and exponentially easier to live. The day begins with a smile and ends with a gratified sigh of relief.

            In all its complexities, loves is the basest, simplest, and inherently human emotion to experience, from the moment we leave the womb and feel our mothers warm embrace, to having a child of our own, we come to learn that love has so many shades and aspects.           

“Love is the conduit to the better side of human nature, a side that the entire world would benefit from if it would just come out of its deep dark hole” (Aquinas, 1867, p. 56). Luckily for us, there are those willing to share their love with others and each day that hole grows less dark. I do not presume to know even a fraction of the mystery that is love, but from my perspective, love is all beauty, all divine, and all powerful; a morphing, growing fire that will eventually consume the entire world in its flames.

DANILO