The world is full of bargain hunters. Among these are ever so many who hope to get something for nothing. But more often than not they get disappointed. This applies not only to material things but also to intangibles, such as love and affection.
The underlying sentiment of a majority of the modern-day love songs is that love is both pleasurable and free. Of course, what is referred to is romantic love or sexual gratification. Little, if anything, is said about love costing something or about one’s being deserving of love.
And so the youth rush into marriage. Or they begin to live together without the benefit of marriage—“free love,” some call it. But sooner or later a large proportion of them separate or get a divorce. Why? Because they were not realistic, not mature enough to be willing to pay what love costs.
The love that is lasting, be it romantic love, love of one’s family or friends, or love based on a sense of duty, invariably costs something—but it is worth it.
Have you ever thought of the many sacrifices you have to make when you are in love with someone? Would you say all those sacrifices cost nothing? The time, attention, and money are all part of things we sacrifice but we might not pay close attention to them. Lots of people in the world face challenges when it comes to their love lives. However, when all those hurdles are cleared off, the after effect is joy.
Many a times we have quarrels with our partners. It becomes so hard on our part to apologize if we’ve done no wrong. Same way, it also becomes very difficult to forgive the other person when we look at the intensity of transgression our partner has committed. The choice to either apologize or forgive is all part of the costs we pay to bring the relationship back on track. Does it not become worth it after we’ve paid such costs and have our partner back; living as happy as before?
The kind of love that exists between parents and children, also brothers and sisters, likewise costs something. Such relationships must be nourished in order to thrive. Obligations must be discharged. But doing so is worth it. Just think of the satisfaction that comes from doing something for a person you love, also of how much it means to have someone who really cares about you. Loneliness is the lot of many in the world because, as they see it, no one really cares about them.
To have the love of friends there is also a price that must be paid. Friendship between persons requires consideration, thoughtfulness, good manners, tact, and genuine concern for the well-being of the other person, among other things. Where friendships have faltered, it is because one person or the other has tried to do too much taking and not enough giving.
As the popular saying goes, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” When a person is “giving” he/she is showing love, and that costs something. But, in every aspect of life, in every activity and in every human relationship, though love is costly, remember it is worth it!