Love in the Time of Chaos

Key points

• It’s important to consider the power of love, especially in light of today’s chaos and confusion.
• There are five essential types of love, from spiritual to romantic.
• Those who express love often feel better about the world and themselves.

While the concept of love is important all year long, we all need a reminder of the important role it plays in our lives. As February is often viewed as the month of love, it is a good time to ponder the universal concept of love. Further, this is a time of great chaos, confusion, hate, and anger in our country, and perhaps now discussing love is more important than ever.

What Is Love?

Love can be thought of as a higher power or a state you fall in and out of. Whatever your stance or belief, the concept of love most often elicits positive emotions and connotations. Ever since receiving my first love letter from my grade school sweetheart, I knew that falling and being in love can be life-changing and offers powerful emotions, such as joy and elation. There is a wonderfully indescribable feeling and sense of glow that emanates from someone in love.

bell hooks, in her poignant book, All About Love, says that to truly love, we must learn to mix various ingredients-care, affection…