All You Need is Love was introduced by TheBeatles during the Summer of Love. The song was broadcast via satellite in June 1967 to 400 million people in 26 countries. John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics and music, expressing an idealism that resonated with young people who wanted to change the world through love and peace. To most people, it’s a clear message saying that love is everything, though some view it to mean that to achieve the impossible, all you need is love. A line in the song says there’s nothing in the realm of doing that can’t be done if you have love. Others interpret it to say you don’t have to be great and shouldn’t feel the need to do anything special. All that’s needed for a fulfilled life is love.
My Unitarian minister always ends a service by saying, “Go in peace, practice love.” I understand the peace part; I can be peaceful. But she makes me wonder how love can be a practice. The Bible says to love thy neighbors as thyself. I don’t know many people who follow that commandment. If there were more, there probably wouldn’t be wars in Gaza, Sudan, or the Ukraine. The Beetles sing “It’s Easy,” but is it?
,
Webster’s Dictionary defines love as intense, deep affection involving warmth, tenderness, intimacy, fondness, and attachment. Religious gurus add devotion to the list, while K-pop fans add obsession.
Some consider love to be the most important of the human emotions. Yet other people use it to describe almost anything. OMG, I love this Bing cherry ice cream! Your cooking is fantastic; I love the way you made the potatoes! Couples in long-term relationships are strong on the loyalty and commitment side of the definition, while young adults in their first real relationship find love messy and complicated. Their love may be based on infatuation or short-lived passion. Unrequited love can break a person’s spirit, sending them into a tailspin.
When told to practice love, what am I supposed to do? Psychologists say love is influenced by both biology and culture. Numerous research studies say romantic love exists in all cultures, indicating a strong biological component. Yet culture influences how individuals think about, experience, and express romantic love.
I’ve become addicted to Korean Netflix series where parents will go to great lengths to help their adult children find a compatible mate. This includes going to matchmakers and arranging their dates. When someone decides to take the next step, they courageously say, “I like you.” This is usually followed with, “Would you like to date?” or “I’d like to date you with the object being marriage.” Parents and relatives have great sway at this point. The word “love” is only expressed after the couple has gone through and survived the ups and downs of their relationship.
There isn’t a single way to practice love. Every relationship is unique, and each person has their own history and needs. I was surprised when I found suggestions to show and develop loving relationships. Cultivating a lasting relationship is marked by trust, commitment, and intimacy. It means communicating to meet your and your loved ones’ needs. It involves tackling conflicts in a healthy way that moves the relationship forward. Some people try loving-kindness meditation, which promotes self-acceptance and reduces stress. At the same time, you concentrate on warm feelings toward the person you care about and your desire for them to be happy.
- Be willing to be vulnerable.
- Be willing to forgive.
- Do your best, and be willing to apologize for mistakes.
- Let the person know that you care.
- Listen to what they have to say.
- Prioritize spending time with the person.
- Reciprocate loving gestures and acts of kindness.
- Recognize and acknowledge their good qualities.
- Share things about yourself.
- Show affection.
- Make it unconditional.
Love impacts mental health. Loving relationships are linked to lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, stress levels, better health habits, and increased longevity. When love is practiced conscientiously, it can turn into the emotion we call love, providing a sense of security and well-being. Being in a loving relationship makes it easier to take the occasional risks necessary for achieve your goals. Do I think love is easy, as the song says? Not really. It is a practice that must be nurtured again and again. Having such a wonderful result is worth the effort.
The holiday season is an excellent time to think about love. With this blog,All You Need is Love was introduced by TheBeatles during the Summer of Love. The song was broadcast via satellite in June 1967 to 400 million people in 26 countries. John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics and music, expressing an idealism that resonated with young people who wanted to change the world through love and peace. To most people, it’s a clear message saying that love is everything, though some view it to mean that to achieve the impossible, all you need is love. A line in the song says there’s nothing in the realm of doing that can’t be done if you have love. Others interpret it to say you don’t have to be great and shouldn’t feel the need to do anything special. All that’s needed for a fulfilled life is love.
My Unitarian minister always ends a service by saying, “Go in peace, practice love.” I understand the peace part; I can be peaceful. But she makes me wonder how love can be a practice. The Bible says to love thy neighbors as thyself. I don’t know many people who follow that commandment. If there were more, there probably wouldn’t be wars in Gaza, Sudan, or the Ukraine. The Beetles sing “It’s Easy,” but is it?
,
Webster’s Dictionary defines love as intense, deep affection involving warmth, tenderness, intimacy, fondness, and attachment. Religious gurus add devotion to the list, while K-pop fans add obsession.
Some consider love to be the most important of the human emotions. Yet other people use it to describe almost anything. OMG, I love this Bing cherry ice cream! Your cooking is fantastic; I love the way you made the potatoes! Couples in long-term relationships are strong on the loyalty and commitment side of the definition, while young adults in their first real relationship find love messy and complicated. Their love may be based on infatuation or short-lived passion. Unrequited love can break a person’s spirit, sending them into a tailspin.
When told to practice love, what am I supposed to do? Psychologists say love is influenced by both biology and culture. Numerous research studies say romantic love exists in all cultures, indicating a strong biological component. Yet culture influences how individuals think about, experience, and express romantic love.
I’ve become addicted to Korean Netflix series where parents will go to great lengths to help their adult children find a compatible mate. This includes going to matchmakers and arranging their dates. When someone decides to take the next step, they courageously say, “I like you.” This is usually followed with, “Would you like to date?” or “I’d like to date you with the object being marriage.” Parents and relatives have great sway at this point. The word “love” is only expressed after the couple has gone through and survived the ups and downs of their relationship.
There isn’t a single way to practice love. Every relationship is unique, and each person has their own history and needs. I was surprised when I found suggestions to show and develop loving relationships. Cultivating a lasting relationship is marked by trust, commitment, and intimacy. It means communicating to meet your and your loved ones’ needs. It involves tackling conflicts in a healthy way that moves the relationship forward. Some people try loving-kindness meditation, which promotes self-acceptance and reduces stress. At the same time, you concentrate on warm feelings toward the person you care about and your desire for them to be happy.
- Be willing to be vulnerable.
- Be willing to forgive.
- Do your best, and be willing to apologize for mistakes.
- Let the person know that you care.
- Listen to what they have to say.
- Prioritize spending time with the person.
- Reciprocate loving gestures and acts of kindness.
- Recognize and acknowledge their good qualities.
- Share things about yourself.
- Show affection.
- Make it unconditional.
Love impacts mental health. Loving relationships are linked to lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, stress levels, better health habits, and increased longevity. When love is practiced conscientiously, it can turn into the emotion we call love, providing a sense of security and well-being. Being in a loving relationship makes it easier to take the occasional risks necessary to achieve your goals.
Do I think love is easy, as the song says? Not really. It is a practice that must be nurtured again and again. Having such a wonderful result is worth the effort. The holiday season is an excellent time to think about love. With this blog, I found meaning to the advice to “Go in peace, practice love.”
I look forward to reading your comments.
References:
K, MSEd, (2024) Do You Know What Love Really Is? Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-love-2795343#:~:text
Website. American Psychological Association. APA Dictionary of Psychology.
Teo AR, Choi H, Valenstein M. Social Relationships and Depression: Ten-Year Follow-Up from a Nationally Representative Study.
Wong CW, Kwok CS, Narain A, et al. Marital status and risk of cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Winston R, Chicot R. The importance of early bonding on the long-term mental health and resilience of children.
Lyrics
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung
There is nothing you can say, but you can learn
How to play the game
It’s easy
Nothing you can make that can’t be made
No one you can save that can’t be saved
Nothing you can do, but you can learn
How to be you in time
It’s easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
Nothing you can know that isn’t known
Nothing you can see that isn’t shown
There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where
You’re meant to be
It’s easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
All you need is love
Available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
References:
K, MSEd, (2024) Do You Know What Love Really Is? Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-love-2795343#:~:text
Website. American Psychological Association. APA Dictionary of Psychology.
Teo AR, Choi H, Valenstein M. Social Relationships and Depression: Ten-Year Follow-Up from a Nationally Representative Study.
Wong CW, Kwok CS, Narain A, et al. Marital status and risk of cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Winston R, Chicot R. The importance of early bonding on the long-term mental health and resilience of children.
Lyrics
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung
There is nothing you can say, but you can learn
How to play the game
It’s easy
Nothing you can make that can’t be made
No one you can save that can’t be saved
Nothing you can do, but you can learn
How to be you in time
It’s easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
Nothing you can know that isn’t known
Nothing you can see that isn’t shown
There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where
You’re meant to be
It’s easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
All you need is love
Available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
