I love love. I love being in love. I love my son, and I still love my dead husband.
Do I NEED love? If I do indeed need it, is love ALL I need?
In the literal sense, love is not a primary need.
Primary needs are biological and physical, like oxygen, shelter, food, water and clothing.
Love doesn’t even make the first cut.
I can get on board with love being a secondary need, also defined as an “acquired need” or desire.
Other examples include: trust, community, safety, respect and creativity.
So why is there such an emphasis on love?
There’s not a long list of songs written about food or shelter.
Love is often likened to a primary need, like the oxygen we breathe.
Romantic love is equated with our very beating hearts, as something we cannot live without.
But, is love just a construct of a bored, wealthy society with too much time on its hands?
When my son complains of being bored (which is often), I usually say,
Good, that’s where creativity is born.
He is not amused.
Whether it be a primary need, or secondary desire, love, especially romantic love, makes life more exciting.
Recently, I’ve come to value a peaceful life over the excitement inherent in new romantic entanglements.
Which do you value more: A peaceful life, or romantic love? Can the two coexist? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments!
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