by Jaime Lord

These days the word "love" seems to be thrown around almost haphazardly, a simple reflex rather than the verbalization of true feelings.

As a result I feel like it has lost its essence and consequently its impact. It has become mere letters and robotic performances of scripted romance. We are almost numb to love in the traditional sense, thus it has been forced to evolve, to regain its endearing subtleties and ability to stir within us sensations that remind us of our human condition.

Too often we attempt to label and define things with the purpose of gaining some sort of control. Love cannot be controlled. It is in the attempt that we lose the essence.

Like picking a beautiful flower with the intention of keeping it forever, it will wither and lose what initially attracted us to it. It takes courage to leave the flower and appreciate it in its own right without desiring to possess it.