Category: Passion

I didn’t know what to expect when starting this project, but coming out, I have to say my excitement to work in the sports industry is through the roof. Right when we started our SPM class, we were given the idea that it was okay not to know what we wanted to do. Honestly, that frightened me. I’m the kind of person who needs to be driven in a certain direction, or I tend to drift off; and not fully apply myself. I think I have a better understanding of what facit I truly want to get involved in, in this industry. The areas of the industry that I found myself most intrigued by were agency and development. It drew to me how both involved building relationships with your clients; friendships even. I’ve always been a people person, so talking to people and making people comfortable is really up my alley. I decided I wanted to interview someone involved in development and someone involved in a sports agency. I know it’s just extra work considering I was supposed to focus on one topic here. But I see this assignment as a way to look into what I want to do. I was lucky enough to be able to interview two very impactful people each in their departments. The first person I interviewed was a man named Brian Smith; his position is the Assistant Athletic Director of Development at UCLA. He works with the Wooden Athletic Fund, which raises money to put towards the athletic programs at the college. It was a great interview, but I’ll get into that later on. I have to say my next interview had to be my favorite, if not one of my favorite conversations I’ve had with anyone yet. The interview was with a guy by the name of Daren Flitcroft. He is the Director of Global Soccer at Wasserman Media Group. Wasserman is one of the biggest sports agencies out there, and it was an honor to be able to speak to the director of global soccer when soccer is my biggest sporting passion. I look forward to sharing what I’ve gained through my extensive research.

I’d like to start by talking about each segment I am interested in, starting with development. This area wasn’t something I looked into until more recently. I was always so focused on more independence in the industry, but never really thought about helping develop a program. I know the development of a professional team has to do with raising funds from fans/supporters and putting them into projects that may go over budget. I like this concept. I like how a position in development may require a salesman’s skill set, but mixes in creative and even some financial aspects to the role. What interests me most is collegiate athletic funds. Donations are the biggest factor in how much fund money there is to use. In 2015 alone, colleges raised 1.2 Billion dollars for sports; some single schools brought in tens of millions of dollars just from loyal donors. This gives these school’s athletic funds so much more flexibility with usage. These schools need this money to be able to run collegiate programs with high esteem. You start to see new and improved facilities, more scholarships, better gear, better players recruited, etc. This donation money brings excitement not only to the development teams at these schools, but the athletes and students. College athletics have way more limits on what can be done compared to pro organizations; Athletes can’t be paid, budget money is shared with academic needs and interests, etc. These funds are very important to collegiate athletic programs. They can cover the costs of scholarships, academic services, life skills development, and even recruiting. Being able to use creativity to host fundraising events, bring in more season ticket holders, or even just get supporters to donate generous amounts to the fund are all things I feel I can do. I’d love to mix my creative workflow with my personable skills.

Next, I’m gonna talk about Agency. This has always appealed to me because of the independence given to this position. Yes, you’ll be working with an agency, but being an agent means having your clients, and marketing yourself. Being able to represent an athlete, and help them succeed is something I want to do. One agent I look up to is Jorge Mendes. He represents some of the biggest names in global soccer: Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez, Angel Di Maria, Diego Costa, and the list goes on. He represents a total of 122 athletes. His commissions come out to be $118 million. It takes time to make that much and sign such elite athletes, but the idea that I could work with soccer players(my favorite sport is soccer), help these athletes start a career, and market myself while making a living is something I want to do. Honestly, it’s about the excitement of new opportunities overall. An example is the rise of professional Esports. It has sent sports agencies into a frenzy to try and sign the biggest players of this new type of sport, and offer them large and complex contracts. According to “Sports Agent Blog”, there has been conversation on the Esports system, and its potential need to be licensed by a central body, like FIFA. Many agree there should be an organized system, but with so many games and leagues all across the world, it just sounds impossible to others. Agents probably like the ability to have a more personal agreement with players, but finding them is the first step. This all sounds inspiring to me because I feel I have always been good at negotiation and representation, which are two huge factors of being an agent. You are legally representing your clients, and making sure they are pleased with any deals made. You also won’t find clients unless you are good at making connections, which is something I find myself doing on a daily. I like the fact that an agent will make a percentage off of endorsement contracts, while also earning a commission based on what the represented player makes. All these factors make me so excited by the idea of being an agent; I could make a name for myself in international soccer, without having to be an athlete.

Briefly, I was interested in sponsorship as well. After Adam Harter came in to speak with our class, I got so inspired by his words. Being the VP of Pepsi is a big deal. At first, my idea was to try and work for a specific team, but Mr. Harter gave me the inspiration to look outside of sports, and for a company that sponsors teams or events. The thing I loved about Mr. Harter’s talk the most was his excitement about creativity; a space where he can use his imagination. It’s so cool to know a company driven by pop culture, was able to mix sports and entertainment(The Super Bowl Halftime Show). No company is a bigger sponsor than Pepsi, and I got excited to look into companies that I could help grow to something potentially big. Although all this excitement, I realized that I wanted to start with something that involved a more personal relationship with athletes, and or fans/regular people. Working for an endorsing company would mean working through them. Maybe I’d consider it in the future but for now, I see most of my excitement in agency and development.

Now I’d like to get into my interviews, starting with Brian Smith. I went right in asking about what a normal day at his job looks like. He told me every day is about driving revenue. UCLA has 8,500 donors to their fund, which means increasing the support of high-end donors and bringing in new donors as well. He also told me that being a part of development is about being out of the office and meeting people. The whole purpose is to engage these people at a deeper level with UCLA athletics. What I was wondering was how he even got into development. He went on to tell me this whole story about how he started at Cal for school, but would work Berkeley Alumni summer camps; he was the AD there. He made a friendship with a senior associate AD and ended up with an internship at UCLA because of that connection. The way he started was doing tons of different segments in the industry; he was involved in marketing, event management, facility management, etc. Just this internship gave him so much experience. He was hired full-time the next year. 5 years later he chose to move into development because he wanted a more external experience. This story motivated me; it showed me the drive and inspiration you need when starting small, and you can go big if you keep working hard. What also sparked my curiosity was why he chose collegiate athletics over a boomer youth population or a more selective pro route. He simply told me it was because he wanted to be a teacher or a coach; someone people could look up to, or trust and rely on. That mindset perfectly molded into how he handles relationships with fans and supporters now. He also mentioned setbacks to me. UCLA was just involved in the big bribing scandal that went on. The men’s soccer coach there was indicted because of this. He told me you had to be able to deal with crisis management. It’s hard to keep developing if papers and news are out to make the school look bad. The reality is, that you’ll lose supporters, but you have to listen to their complaints and understand their choices because ultimately you are doing your job partly for them. This interview gave me a very prideful attitude about the idea of building so many strong relationships and learning how to deal with tons of different scenarios, good or bad.

Now I’d love to talk about my interview with Daren Flitcroft. I feel like some would be intimidated to speak to someone as important to an agency as Daren is. I just told myself to keep my level of confidence, and not to overthink. One of the first things he told me was how he was impressed by my inviting tone and confident voice. I didn’t expect that, but wow did my confidence go through the ceiling. I felt the need to ask what his position was for the sake of the interview, but I already knew his role; to represent pro soccer players. He talked about how every day is different, whether it’s calling parents or players to recruit, talking to coaches and GMs about players they may want or don’t want, etc. You have to be used to getting something different every day and working with it. What was most crucial to me was knowing how he got himself into his position. He played a high level of soccer growing up and was a player at UCLA. The whole reason he started looking into agency was because his teammates wanted him to represent them. After all, they felt he was very sharp and decisive. Rather than be intimidated by the expectations of agencies, he made tons of cold calls looking for any opportunity he could get. His teammates were already represented by Wasserman. If you live in LA, let alone the world, and you are an athlete looking to go to a higher level in almost any sport, you know what Wasserman is. His teammates got him an interview at Wasserman, and that’s where it started. He was an intern there through college, and then he went full-time once graduated. Networking was crucial for him, and he networked well. Because of my interest, I wanted to know what he looked for in an intern or employee. “You have to bring value to the table right away,” he said. Whether that’s connections you already have, or having previous playing experience at high levels, it’s all important. Wasserman just hired someone who played in the MLS for 11 years and even played for the USMNT. His advantage was that he was willing to start at the bottom and build his way up. He gave me advice to be proactive here at college; to go to every Syracuse game, build relationships with the athletes; and even provide insight if the opportunity is presented. The one thing that scared me was how Daren said you lose out on more than you win. But it’s about having thick skin, and the drive to keep working hard until you get where you want to be. I asked him a couple more personal questions about what excites him most about soccer, and about potential talent he’s looking at. I felt I shared similarities in terms of how we viewed soccer, or should I say football. It’s not just a sport or a business but it’s something our lives truly revolve around.

All of this information and insight I’ve been given have truly made me excited for my future. Being able to interview people with such high positions in their segment of the industry makes me so grateful. At this moment in time, I am leaning towards agency. The idea of it gives me more drive and excitement than ever before, to be honest. I think I want to be a soccer agent. I know I have traits that make it easy for me to work with people, and I’m not afraid to step out of my comfort zone. I now know how hard I have to work to position myself in a place where I can build a strong clientele. I know my relationships with athletes here will now also become insight for agencies. I played academy soccer, the highest level of club soccer there is. I’ve played with Stanford commits, UCLA commits, etc. I already have a network that I only really started looking at. For the sake of keeping my head high, and staying driven like Daren told me, I’m going to say that I will become a soccer agent, as long as I work hard for it; it all starts now.

When it comes to life there are things people do because it is their passion, they fall in love with that thing, embrace it and seek to help it grow. There are strong feelings for that thing. On the other hand there is reason. Things people do for reason aren’t necessarily things they want to do but they do it anyways, it is what your logic and brain tell them, they should do. Reason often keeps passion in check, but sometimes passion overrides reason for better or for worse. Depending on the person their passion or their reason could be stronger, that person’s will has a big part to do with it. There are many aspects to reason and passion and people need both to not only have an interesting life but a successful one too.

Passion is an interesting term. What is passion, and why is it so powerful? What makes passion so captivating to the point that people will go to the point of doing something they would never have done otherwise? It is because of emotions. Emotions are something people all have, or at least, almost everybody has. It gives us purpose in this life and may lead us if one lets it. People become passionate about something when something happens that causes strong emotions. Sometimes the emotion can be good and can help us accomplish something that person wants, for example in Jane Eyre, Jane falls in love with Edward Rochester, her employer and with the snarky remarks and the flirting it ends up marrying him and living the quote unquote, happily ever after. On the other hand it can also get us into trouble, another example from Jane Eyre is when Jane is sent to a boarding school, because she is such a passionate and fiery individual in her younger years she got in trouble alot for miss behaving and ends up not having a lot of friends. In fact it says, “a passion of resentment fomented now within me” (38) Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Penguin Books, 1960. She becomes very passionate at a young age of hating her Aunt Reed and school master Mr. Brocklehurst because of how they treat her. She is very passionate as a child and not much reason and that gets her into situations that were often hard. She does learn to control it though while she is in school through her one and only friend Helen.

Helen is a girl from Scotland and the opposite of Jane, she is very calm, patient, and very religious. She is the reason in Jane’s early life, and much of her comfort in the hard day at school. Helen is her shoulder to cry on and her only true friend. When a disease, tuberculosis, goes through the school it goes around killing a lot of the girls that Jane hates and because of Jane’s strong character and charisma she doesn’t catch the sickness, but as the disease is ending helen catches the disease and dies. Her death was all for not though, because she left a lasting impact on Jane and calms some of the passion and gives her some more reason.

When Jane finally leaves the boarding school and advertises for being a private teacher she ends up going to a place called Thornfield where she teaches Adele; Mr. Rochester’s ward. In this point in her life she starts very cold and where reason is in complete control but her passion soon awakens when she meets Mr. Rochester. Even though they are in different social classes she can’t help but fall in love with Mr. Rochester and begins to lose some of her reason. She receives a letter saying that her aunt is on her deathbed and decides to go visit her. She finds out that she has another uncle that is very rich and wants to give Jane his inheritance but her aunt wrote to him saying that she is dead. Jane decides to write to him and after her aunt passes she goes back to Thornfield and tries to keep her reason and not let passion rule over her. She says, “ I stopped once to ask myself what that joy meant: and to remind reason that it was not to my home I was going, or to a permanent resting-place”(pp. 245) Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Penguin Books, 1960. Her reason had to keep her in reality because she didn’t want to be accidentally hurt if something happened when she gets back to Thornfield. She ends up almost marrying Mr. Rochester but he already has a wife. So she is then left with the choice of staying and being a sinner and living with Mr. Rochester or leaving Thornfield hall. Her passion and reason have a big battle here with all of her emotions but in the end reason comes out on top and she decides to leave Thornfield for good. For a while there she is homeless and a beggar, but then she finds another place to teach school in a remote town where she meets this man St. John asks Jane to marry him and go on a mission with him to Africa. She doesn’t really like him so she leaves him and decides to go back to Mr. Rochester. She finds out that Thornfield hall is burned down and that his wife died so she goes to his other house and after finding out that he is blind and lost a hand they get married and live “happily ever after”.

Reason and passion make life interesting, eventful, and successful too. Passion and reason balance each other out and that it can be very emotional. Love is a big thing in both reason and passion and can infunceit a lot. There are many instances where passion and reason can be for the better or for the worse depending on which one someone choose. The logic of reason can rule over passion, but also the persuasion of passion can take over reason. So in the end people need both reason and passion to be successful in life.

The two values that can pave my way to the success of my internship would be ‘Respect’ and ‘Passion’. I believe that, these two values are key to build my work ethic and professionalism during this internship attachment.

It is important to treat my colleagues, superiors, patients with respect and follow through all the rules and regulations set by the company. Examples are, adhering to corporate culture; company’s core values, attitudes and beliefs: to speak and treat fellow colleagues and patients politely, being timely and punctual, being prompt in serving patients, standing up when welcoming or assisting patients or any persons who are enquiring, using both hands when issuing and receiving things, being calm and polite when calling or answering calls from patients. Also, it is important to be aware of cultural differences so that we can be culturally sensitive and avoid any misunderstanding. Following that, it is essential to respect patient’s confidentiality, and not disclose any information on patients without appropriate authorisation by treating all official documents, papers and information acquired in my official capacity as confidential. Also, adhering to the company’s dress code, self-care such as proper grooming and good hygiene. Examples would be, by wearing neatly pressed, clean clothes, black covered shoes and no excessive accessories and jewellery. It is necessary to show respect to others and to the rules and regulations as this will reflect positively to the company and to the eyes of the patients and my colleagues. Essentially, by being respectful, I will be able to deliver a consistent and high level of service for my company. Thus, I believe that demonstrating respect and complying to the company’s policies is an important value to adhere to during my internship.

Next, having passion is vital, passion is a positive value that fuels and motivates me in learning and working hard. Being passionate enables me to complete all the given tasks with my best efforts, through applying and translating the acquired knowledge, techniques and skill sets learnt during my classes. It is important to work hard even when the tasks seem small and unimportant, as what matters most is the effort that I put in to accomplish them. Likewise, having passion empowers me to take initiatives thus, helping me in building my self-confidence. With passion and eagerness to learn and try new things, my colleagues will be more willing to teach and patiently guide me throughout my internship. Therefore, I strongly feel that passion can aid me to maintain a balanced and consistent performance during my internship. All in all, when passion is present, success can result. Hence, I believe that I can achieve success when I am passionate and driven in my work, thus, contributing as a strong team player for the company.

In conclusion both these values, ‘Respect’ and ‘Passion’, can help in developing and growing a valuable working experience during this internship. I will be able to strengthen skills developed in school and new skills that my colleagues have taught me and see how they apply in the real world.

During Year 7, I first heard about the Duke of Edinburgh scheme from a friend and have wanted to take part in it ever since. This is for many reasons, one of the main reasons being that the scheme is an opportunity to challenge myself and broaden my horizons. It will help me conquer my fears and gain confidence by inspiring me to explore new areas and putting me through tougher conditions. In the long run, this experience will prepare me for the future by encouraging me to take on responsibility and achieve independence.

For the physical part of the scheme, I have decided to pursue swimming. This is an activity I have been doing for many years and enjoy immensely. It has helped by increasing my stamina and making me stronger. Swimming independently for the last few years has developed my confidence and motivation.

Doing it for the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme will enhance my skills further and help me develop a lifelong swimming routine. It will also prepare me physically and mentally for the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme expeditions and challenges in my future life. I understand the importance of having a lifelong hobby that I can enjoy as I grow older, not least for its benefit in maintaining physical fitness and tackling stress.

Working for and contributing to the LGS Peacock Magazine over the last year has ignited a passion for journalism in me. Doing this for my skill section will provide me with an exciting opportunity to explore and grow further in this area. It will enhance my awareness of the world, environment, current affairs, and various cultures. It will also strengthen my writing, editing, and general designing abilities which will be very useful skills for future life ventures.

Volunteering at my brother’s school fete last year has given me an insight into the multiple benefits of volunteering. These include working with new people, developing social skills, and giving back to the community. By volunteering regularly as a part of the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, I hope to learn new skills and increase my teamwork abilities, like communication. I know that the experience gained will be immensely useful for future education and employment.

I am passionate about being able to help my community and am looking forward to achieving that objective through volunteering.

My plan for the activity that I will complete for the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme in the physical section, will be participating in weekly one-hour swimming sessions at my local leisure centre, for six months. In the skill section, I will be writing and editing articles for the school Peacock Magazine, as well as assisting in the design of the magazine, for three months. For the volunteering section, I will be pursuing an activity in my local community for three months which will include learning new skills and helping people. I have applied for a place at St. John Ambulance and will be volunteering there weekly, applying my first aid skills. In addition, I have found suitable assessors for each of my activities.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you will think that I am a suitable candidate for the scheme.

A Philosophical Analysis of Love

Philosophy aims to answer various questions about life in a rational and disciplined way, and one, if not the most important, is the understanding of personal love. Love, life’s greatest gift and mystery, appears in various kinds and is difficult to distinguish. The love a person feels for his/her partner (romantic love) is very different from their love for their family and friends. It has no boundaries and is very essential for humanity.

Love is very difficult to understand for it involves various emotions and the human brain reacts differently based on different situations. The task of understanding love comes hand in hand with various philosophical analyses of its kind. Sometimes, questions are followed by other questions. Can love be justified? If the answer is yes, then how? What could be its impact on the autonomy of both parties (lover and beloved)? Why do teenagers misinterpret a simple gesture from someone to be a sign of love? How could they defer from it and most importantly, how could they differentiate it from real love? This paper aims to answer these questions and will try to give an idea of what real love is.

The word love in its simplest form is often used in our everyday conversations, for example, “I love chocolates” or “I love being alone today”. However, the word “love” as used in these phrases could mean different things, from the one who says it and the one you heard it. The word “love” could just mean the person like the thing or the activity. It could also mean that the person finds it engaging or possibly the person could have used the word to say that they just want to be in the company of a specific person.

The Three Concept of Love

During ancient times, philosophers have traditionally distinguished “love” into three concepts: Eros, Agape, and Philia.

Eros, as defined by Liddell et al. (1940), is “love” in the form of a passionate desire for an object. Typically, this refers to the sexual desires of humans. The same definition was supported by Nygren (1953), as he described it as the “love of desire” or an “acquisitive love”. Eros is also often described as “selfish” for it is a response to the merits or quality of the beloved (e.i. beauty or personality). In this, the description of Eros shifted from “sexual” to the love of something in an “ersoic” sense, wherein the response to the beloved’s merit depends on the reason. One of the greatest Greek philosophers, Plato, shares the said views. His teacher, the great Socrates, views sexual desires as a lacking response to physical appearance. This response is meant to be developed as a response to the beautiful soul of a person.

In addition, Sobles (year) defines eros as a reason that is dependent kind of love that is a sharp contrast to “agape”. Agape is a kind of love that does not value an object. A perfect example could be observed in religious beliefs, such as Christianity. The love of God for his creation, our love for God, and our love for humanity fall in the category of agape.

The concept of God’s love for us, his creation, is perceived to be “unmotivated and spontaneous”, which means that it is God’s nature to love us, and not because of our merits (Nygren, 1953). Instead of an effect of an object’s value, agape is the creation of value for a specific object, thus signifying a fellowship with God. This is also supported by the definition of Badhwar (year), as he characterized agape as a kind of love that is independent of a person’s characteristics or the particular individual he/she is. In addition, Sobre (year) said that, unlike eros which is dependent on reason, agape is more reasonably incomprehensible.

Philia, on the other hand, is an affection or a feeling of friendliness towards a friend, family members, or people around a person. Similar to eros, Phila is responsive to the beautiful qualities or characteristics of an individual. Since such similarities are observed between eros and philia, it is often wondered if what distinguishes romantic love from friendship is only that the former has sexual involvements – and whether it is enough to define the difference in real-life experiences. However, in Soble’s (year) study, it was observed that the distinction between the two becomes very hard to see when the importance of sex in eros is diminished.

The defining line between eros, agape, and philia becomes even more blurry when subjected to contemporary theories of love and friendship. In certain circumstances, it could be said that romantic love shows the quality of agape, wherein a value was created in the beloved. Furthermore, there are situations wherein romantic love sees sexual activities as just an expression of friendship.

With these taken into consideration, the concept of God’s love for his creation and vice versa is omitted, as well as the difference between eros and philia is blurred out. What will be taken into focus is the contemporary view on love, such as romantic love, understood as the feeling we have toward another person/s.

Like vs. Love

Philosophical analysis requires a careful approach to determining the difference between love and other positive attitudes we have towards other people (liking). It is a widely accepted fact that what distinguishes love from liking is its “depth”, thus, there is a need to determine the level of “depth” that could be considered to be love. There is various literature that addresses this dilemma by going the other way, determining what liking amounts to. In the study of Singer and Brown (year), they stated that liking is a matter of desiring. It is a feeling or attitude that sees only the object’s instrumental value. However, this is still not enough justification, for there are still circumstances where care is given to a person for their own sake not just instrumentally but at the same time, caring does not necessarily mean loving the person. The exact same care could be similar to one’s feelings towards his/her pet, which isn’t really sufficiently personal to be called love.

To distinguish like from love, the most common approach is through the belief that love’s “depth” should be explained in terms of identification. It is said that if you love someone, you identify yourself with them. As Nussbaum (year) puts it, “The choice between one potential love and another can feel, and be, as a choice of a way of life, a decision to dedicate oneself to these values rather than these”. This is a notion not seen in liking. It is a central bone of connection among different analyses of love to whether the concept of love involves identification and how could such identification be understood. For example, it was argued that the concept of identification somehow distorts the understanding of what kind of motivation love has. Coz if taken literally, it could be interpreted that love is motivated by self-interest and not the beloved’s interests. According to Whiting (year), there’s a possibility that love would take the lover outside themselves, resulting in them losing themselves and being moved directly by the beloved’s interest. It is said that in identifying with one’s beloved, the person should have a concern for the beloved that is equivalent to their concerns towards themselves.

Furthermore, an alternative way in distinguishing love from other personal attitudes is through a distinctive kind of evaluation. This could aid in determining love’s depth. It is examined whether love has a distinctive kind of evaluation. However, it is largely doubted that this sense of evaluation could be easily interpreted. Hand in hand with the questions of evaluation are the questions of justification. Could loving or the continued loving of a person be justified? If yes, how? With the belief that love could be justified, it is important to view justification in terms of evaluation. The answer to this will influence the attempts of various accounts in making sense of the constancy or commitment involved in love, as well as the way it was directed at specific people.

The Four Theories of Love

Theories of love could be classified into four types, union, robust concern, valuing, and emotion. However, it should be noted that theories under a particular type could sometime include ideas from other types. The four types have a tendency to overlap with each other and sometimes in order to classify the theory, a great deal of categorization and analysis is needed. For example, many accounts of love are quasi-reductionistic. It is the way of understanding love in terms of affection, attachment, evaluation, and many others, which are rarely analyzed. And even in these rare cases, it is very often that an attempt is made to present how such an “aspect” of love is connected to others. In conclusion, there is no clear systematic way to classify the theories, thus, making it almost impossible to identify the relevant classes they should be in.

There’s another definition of love which is love as a union. the union view claims that love consists in the formation of or the desire to form some significant kind of union, a “we.” A central task for union theorists, therefore, is to spell out just what such a “we” comes to—whether it is literally a new entity in the world somehow composed of the lover and the beloved, or whether it is merely metaphorical.

Scruton, writing in particular about romantic love, claims that love exists “just so soon as reciprocity becomes community: that is, just so soon as all distinction between my interests and your interests is overcome”. The idea is that the union is a union of concern so that when I act out of that concern it is not for my sake alone or for your sake alone but for our sake. Fisher holds a similar, but somewhat more moderate view, claiming that love is a partial fusion of the lovers’ cares, concerns, emotional responses, and actions. What is striking about both the philosophers Scruton and Fisher is the claim that love requires the actual union of the lovers’ concerns, for it thus becomes clear that they conceive of love not so much as an attitude we take towards another but as a relationship: the distinction between your interests and mine genuinely disappears only when we together come to have shared cares, concerns, etc., and my merely having a certain attitude towards you is not enough for love. This provides the content to the notion of a “we” but I don’t know if this is metaphorical? But the subject of these shared cares and concerns, and as that for whose sake we act.

Solomon says that offers a union view as well, though one that tries “to make new sense out of ‘love’ through a literal rather than metaphoric sense of the ‘fusion’ of two souls” What Solomon has in mind is the way in which, through love, the lovers redefine their identities as persons in terms of the relationship: “Love is the concentration and the intensive focus of mutual definition on a single individual, subjecting virtually every personal aspect of one’s self to this process”. The result is that lovers come to share the interests, roles, virtues, and so on that constitute what formerly was two individual identities but now has become a shared identity, and they do so in part by each allowing the other to play an important role in defining his own identity.

Another philosopher named Nozick offers a union view that differs from those of Scruton, Fisher, and Solomon in that Nozick thinks that what is necessary for love is merely the desire to form a “we,” together with the desire that your beloved reciprocates. Nonetheless, he claims that this “we” is “a new entity in the world…created by a new web of relationships between the lovers which makes them no longer separate”. In spelling out this web of relationships, Nozick appeals to the lovers “pooling” not only their well-being, in the sense that the well-being of each is tied up with that of the other, but also their autonomy, in that “each transfers some previous rights to make certain decisions unilaterally into a joint pool”. In addition, Nozick claims, the lovers each acquire a new identity as a part of the “we,” a new identity constituted by their (a) wanting to be perceived publicly as a couple, (b) they’re attending to their pooled well-being, and (c) they’re accepting a “certain kind of division of labor”.

A person in we might find himself coming across something interesting to read yet leaving it for the other person, not because he himself would not be interested in it but because the other would be more interested, and one of them reading it is sufficient for it to be registered by the wider identity now shared.

Opponents of the union view have seized on claims like this as excessive: union theorists, they claim, take too literally the ontological commitments of this notion of a “we.” This leads to two specific criticisms of the union view. The first is that union views do away with individual autonomy. Autonomy, it seems, involves a kind of independence on the part of the autonomous agent, such that she is in control over not only what she does but also who she is, as this is constituted by her interests, values, concerns, etc. However, union views, by doing away with a clear distinction between your interests and mine, thereby undermine this sort of independence and so undermine the autonomy of the lovers. If autonomy is a part of the individual’s good, then, in the union view, love is to this extent bad; so much the worse for the union view Moreover, Singer argues that a necessary part of having your beloved be the object of your love is respect for your beloved as the particular person she is, and this requires respecting her autonomy.

Union theorists have responded to this objection in several ways. Nozick seems to think of a loss of autonomy in love as a desirable feature of the sort of union lovers can achieve. Fisher somewhat says that more reluctantly, claims that the loss of autonomy in love is an acceptable consequence of love. Yet without further argument, these claims seem like mere bullet biting. Solomon describes this “tension” between union and autonomy as “the paradox of love.” However, this is a view that Soble derides: merely to call it a paradox, as Solomon does, is not to face up to the problem. There’s still lots to discover about love but then again, the only question that seems to bother me now is, “why do we love” more or less the very closest possible answer that I have now in mind regarding the fact that I have discussed two definitions of love is that we experience love, because it makes us happy. Whatever the consequences, it still made us happy and more human.

The Evolution of Love – Essay 1 (400 words)

Introduction

Love is a complex and ever-changing human emotion that has intrigued philosophers, poets, and thinkers throughout history. This essay explores the evolution of love, tracing its roots from ancient times to the present day. By examining the different manifestations of it across various historical periods, we can gain insights into how society’s perceptions and expressions of it have evolved over time.

Ancient Love

In ancient civilizations, such as ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece, love was often intertwined with mythology and religious beliefs. It was perceived as a divine force that could bring joy and suffering. Ancient texts, like the Egyptian “Love Songs of Amarna” or the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche, depicted It as a powerful and transformative experience. In these societies, It often had societal constraints, with arranged marriages and family alliances playing a significant role.

Modern Love

As society progressed and entered the modern era, the concept of love began to shift. The Renaissance period witnessed a profound change in the perception of love, as humanism and individualism emerged. It was no longer solely tied to divine forces but became a celebration of human emotions and desires. Romantic love gained prominence, and literature and art flourished with depictions of passionate love stories and unrequited longing. This period saw a rise in courtly love traditions, where knights would idealize their lady loves and engage in poetic expressions of affection.

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the subsequent changes in social structure, love took on new dimensions. The rise of urbanization and the growth of the middle class brought about a shift in romantic relationships. The idea of companionate love emerged, emphasizing equality, friendship, and shared interests. It started to become a basis for marriage rather than solely relying on social and economic factors. As women gained more independence and societal roles began to change, love became a more personal and individualistic experience.

Conclusion

Throughout history, love has undergone a remarkable transformation, influenced by cultural, societal, and economic factors. From ancient times, where it was often bound by religious beliefs and societal norms, to the modern era, where personal fulfillment and emotional connections take precedence, love has evolved significantly. The concept of love has expanded beyond its traditional boundaries and continues to be redefined in contemporary society.

Understanding the evolution of love allows us to appreciate the complexities and nuances of this powerful emotion. It serves as a reminder that love is not a static concept but a dynamic force that adapts to the changing needs and values of society. By exploring the past, we can gain insights into our own perceptions and experiences of love, shaping our understanding of this timeless and universal human emotion.

The Power of Love: Benefits and Challenges – Essay 2 (500 words)

Introduction

Love is a fundamental and powerful emotion that has the ability to shape our lives in profound ways. It is a force that transcends boundaries, unites people, and brings joy and fulfillment. However, alongside its numerous benefits, love also presents us with challenges that test our strength and resilience. This essay explores the power of love, its benefits, the challenges it poses, and how it has the potential to overcome those challenges.

The Benefits of Love

Love has a transformative impact on individuals and communities. Firstly, love provides a sense of belonging and connection. When we experience love, whether it be romantic, familial, or platonic, we feel a deep sense of connection and acceptance. Love nurtures our emotional well-being, fostering a sense of security and support.

Furthermore, love has a positive influence on our physical and mental health. Numerous studies have shown that individuals who have strong social connections and experience love tend to have lower levels of stress, reduced risk of depression and anxiety, and improved overall well-being. It has the power to heal, soothe, and bring about a sense of fulfillment and contentment.

Love also inspires personal growth and self-improvement. When we are loved, we are encouraged to become the best versions of ourselves. It motivates us to pursue our dreams, overcome obstacles, and reach our full potential. It provides us with a sense of purpose and direction in life, driving us to achieve greatness.

The Challenges of Love

While love has its many benefits, it also presents us with challenges that can be difficult to navigate. It can be unpredictable and vulnerable, making us susceptible to heartbreak, disappointment, and loss. Relationships, whether romantic or otherwise, require effort, compromise, and understanding.

Moreover, love can sometimes lead to conflicts and disagreements. Differences in opinions, values, and expectations can strain relationships and test the strength of it. Maintaining love in the face of challenges requires open communication, empathy, and a willingness to work through difficulties together.

The Power of Love to Overcome Challenges

Despite the challenges it brings, love possesses an inherent power to overcome obstacles and create positive change. It has the ability to foster forgiveness, understanding, and reconciliation. It allows us to see beyond our differences and embrace the humanity in others. Through love, we can bridge gaps, build bridges, and heal wounds.

Love also provides us with the strength and resilience to face adversity together. When we love someone, we are willing to make sacrifices, endure hardships, and support one another through life’s trials. It gives us the courage to persevere and find solutions even in the most difficult circumstances.

Moreover, it has a ripple effect. When we experience love, we are inspired to spread love to others. Acts of love and kindness have the power to create a chain reaction, positively impacting individuals and communities. It has the potential to bring about social change, break down barriers, and create a more compassionate and harmonious world.

Conclusion

The power of love is undeniable. It enriches our lives, brings us happiness, and enhances our overall well-being. While love presents us with challenges, its strength lies in its ability to overcome those challenges. It unites, heals, and transforms. By embracing the power of love, we can create a better world for ourselves and future generations. Let us cherish and harness the power of love to build a more loving and compassionate society.

The Biochemistry of Love: Understanding the Process – Essay 3 (600 words)

Introduction

Love, the universal emotion that has captivated humanity for centuries, is a complex phenomenon that encompasses both biological and psychological aspects. In recent years, research has shed light on the biochemistry of love, revealing the intricate processes that occur within our bodies when we experience this powerful emotion. This essay aims to explore the biology of love, delve into the psychology behind it, examine the influence of cultural values, and ultimately, discuss the fascinating intersection between biology and love psychology.

The Biology of Love

At the core of our understanding of love lies the biochemistry that drives our emotions and behaviors. When we fall in love, our brains undergo significant changes. The release of certain chemicals, such as dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, plays a crucial role in shaping our emotional experiences. Dopamine, often referred to as the “pleasure chemical,” creates feelings of euphoria and reward, reinforcing the attachment to our partners. Oxytocin, known as the “bonding hormone,” deepens our emotional connection and promotes feelings of trust and intimacy. Serotonin, responsible for regulating mood and happiness, also contributes to the intense emotions associated with love.

The Psychology of Love

While biology sets the stage for love, psychology further unravels its intricacies. It can be examined through various psychological theories, such as Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love. This theory proposes that love is composed of three key components: intimacy, passion, and commitment. Intimacy refers to the emotional closeness and connection between partners, passion encompasses the intense desire and attraction, and commitment represents the long-term dedication and decision to maintain the relationship. Understanding these psychological dimensions helps us comprehend the diverse nature of love and its manifestation in different relationships.

Cultural Values

In addition to biology and psychology, cultural values heavily influence our perception and experience of love. Societies around the world have diverse views on romance, marriage, and familial relationships. Cultural norms shape our expectations, behaviors, and even the choice of partners. For example, arranged marriages, which are prevalent in some cultures, prioritize family alliances and compatibility over romantic love. On the other hand, individualistic societies often emphasize it as the foundation for relationships. These cultural values can impact how individuals navigate love and form relationships, highlighting the intricate interplay between biology, psychology, and cultural influences.

The Meeting of Biology and Love Psychology

The convergence of biology and love psychology is a fascinating field of study. Researchers have begun exploring how individual differences in genetics and brain structures can influence the way people experience love. For instance, studies have found genetic variations associated with relationship satisfaction and attachment styles. Neuroimaging techniques have revealed brain regions activated during romantic love, further elucidating the neural mechanisms involved. By integrating biological and psychological perspectives, scientists aim to deepen our understanding of love, paving the way for improved therapeutic interventions and relationship counseling.

Conclusion

Love, a complex and multidimensional emotion, is intricately intertwined with our biology, psychology, and cultural values. The biochemistry of it, driven by the release of various chemicals in our brains, shapes our emotional experiences. Psychology provides frameworks for understanding the diverse manifestations of love and its components.

Moreover, cultural values influence our perceptions and expectations of it. The meeting of biology and love psychology opens new avenues of research, offering insights into individual differences, brain mechanisms, and potential interventions. By comprehending the biochemistry of love and the psychological factors at play, we can gain a deeper appreciation for this universal emotion that has the power to transform lives.

Between Love and Obsession – Essay 4 (1000 words)

Introduction

Love, a profound and intricate emotion, has the potential to bring immense joy, fulfillment, and growth into our lives. However, within the realm of love, there exists a fine line that separates healthy affection from obsessive fixation. In this essay, we will delve into the complexities of love and obsession, exploring their characteristics, the dark side of it, and the underlying factors that give rise to obsessive love. By understanding the nuances and consequences of obsessive love, we can strive to cultivate relationships that are grounded in balance, respect, and genuine affection.

The Characteristics of Obsessive Love

Obsessive love is characterized by an overwhelming fixation on the object of affection. The individual consumed by it becomes entirely preoccupied with thoughts of their beloved, often at the expense of their own well-being. Their emotions and actions revolve around the person they love, and their lives become centered on gaining their attention, validation, and reassurance. This fixation can lead to a sense of possessiveness and an intense desire for control over the other person’s life and choices.

Furthermore, it is marked by an insatiable need for physical and emotional closeness. The individual may constantly seek contact, whether through incessant phone calls, messages, or an overwhelming amount of time spent together. Boundaries become blurred, personal space is invaded, and the line between love and possession becomes indistinct. Jealousy and insecurity often accompany obsessive love, as the individual fears losing the object of their affection and will go to great lengths to maintain control over the relationship.

The Dark Side of Love

While love is typically associated with warmth, compassion, and acts of kindness, obsessive love takes a darker turn. As the intensity of the obsession grows, so does the potential for harmful and destructive behavior. In extreme cases, the person consumed by obsessive love may resort to stalking, both physically and virtually, in an attempt to gather information about the object of their affection. This invasion of privacy violates personal boundaries, instills fear, and undermines the other person’s autonomy.

Moreover, it can lead to emotional manipulation and psychological abuse. The person driven by obsession may employ tactics such as gaslighting, emotional blackmail, and manipulation to exert control over their beloved. This form of love becomes suffocating and detrimental, causing emotional distress, eroding self-esteem, and isolating the object of their affection from friends, family, and other support networks. It is important to recognize that love should never be an instrument for power and control; instead, it should foster growth, mutual respect, and emotional well-being.

The Roots of Obsessive Love

Understanding the roots of obsessive love is essential in addressing and preventing its occurrence. Often, past experiences or unresolved traumas contribute to the development of obsessive tendencies. Individuals who have faced rejection, abandonment, or betrayal in previous relationships may develop an intense fear of losing their loved ones. This fear, if left unaddressed, can manifest as obsessive behaviors driven by the need for control and reassurance.

Furthermore, societal influences and media portrayal of romantic relationships play a significant role in shaping our understanding of love. Unrealistic depictions of it as all-consuming, possessive, and tumultuous can distort our perceptions and lead individuals to idealize and pursue unhealthy patterns of attachment. Constant exposure to these unrealistic ideals without the portrayal of healthy boundaries and respect can blur the lines between genuine affection and obsessive fixation.

Conclusion

Love, in its purest form, has the power to nurture, uplift, and transform our lives. However, it is crucial to recognize and differentiate between healthy love and obsessive love. Obsessive love, with its characteristics of fixation, possessiveness, and control, can have severe consequences for both the individual consumed by it and the object of their affection. By understanding the underlying factors that contribute to obsessive love and fostering a culture that promotes healthy relationships, we can strive to prevent the destructive impact of obsession and cultivate love that is balanced, respectful, and nurturing.

It is essential to nurture self-awareness and emotional intelligence to recognize the signs of obsessive love within ourselves and in our relationships. By maintaining healthy boundaries, fostering open communication, and seeking professional help when necessary, we can navigate the complexities of love and avoid crossing the line into obsession.

In the end, love should be a harmonious union of two individuals who support and uplift each other, rather than a source of control, possessiveness, and manipulation. By promoting healthy relationship dynamics, fostering empathy and respect, and challenging societal misconceptions about love, we can create a world where love thrives in its purest and most positive form, enhancing our lives and bringing us true fulfillment and happiness.

Exploring the Depths of Love: Unveiling Its Multifaceted Nature – Essay 5 (2800 words)

A Phenomenology of Love

Abstract

Love is a very timely phenomenon, and phenomenology is a study concerning phenomena. In this paper titled, ‘A Phenomenology of Love’, we tackled and discussed our new perspectives about love — to which we connected it to the following: loneliness and admiration, infatuation and friendship, honesty and truth, sacrifice, and freedom.

Keywords

Love, Freedom, Sacrifice, Truth, Lies

Introduction

Hundreds of years have passed since people started to ask, “What is love?” Several individuals have already tried and contributed their answers to the discussion regarding its true meaning. A lot of works have been done and published on this subject, but it seems that the question brings in more questions whenever the topic is brought to life. The curiosity and interest of people in answering this question proves how love is: a part of us and our lives; that it is a part of our nature as human beings, which means we are naturally capable of loving; and that it plays a vital role on the philosophy of man.

When anyone is asked about their experience with love, some will smile instantly while others will have a confused face like they are remembering some lonely moments in their lives. It is proven in this generation that the word ‘love’ means an infinite definition. When ordinary students are being asked about love, they will think about couples, girlfriends, boyfriends, or crushes. Maybe in their point of view, that is what they call love. In terms of love, people only seek someone to love them not knowing that there are people who already loved them for a long time. This scenario results in people getting the words ‘I love you ‘you’re mine’ and ‘I won’t leave from the person who does not know how sacred and complex these words are.

Nowadays, love is perceived as feelings felt and shared by two lovers towards each other. They admire the things that are beautiful in every aspect of their partner’s life, which makes them feel like they are, in some way, “connected”. Here, love is associated with admiration.

People also tend to find happiness in the simple things or “efforts” done by their partners, to which they find sincere and meaningful. They do not seem to care about the rest of the world they are the only ones that matter to each other – where they would say that as long as that they have feelings for one another, there is “love”. As a song goes, “You got a way of making me feel insane, like I can’t trust my own brain …” In here, lovers are dependent on one another.

As time pass by, people tend to equate love to sex. They are saying that when one truly loves the other, one will give in to their eroticism and sexual desires. This is where they find love and happiness through their contact physically.

People also tend to find love in labels. They act like when two strangers developed a romantic relationship and labeled themselves as a “couple”; they would go back to being strangers or at least friends. Thus, this made friendship inferior to love and love being superior to friendship.

And last but not the least, people always define love as an interpersonal connection. This means that love is always found between people. Based on Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love (2004), stated that love comprises three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment. In his theory, the ideal form of love is the combination of the three components which he called “consummate love”. He also describes other combinations of the three components, such as:

Romantic Love = intimacy + passion

• No commitment; typically happens in the teenage years.
• Thus, contradicting the thought that age doesn’t matter when it comes to love.

Companionate Love = intimacy + commitment

• Typically on close friends

Infatuated Love = passion only

• Admiration; is commonly experienced at the beginning of the relationship

Empty Love = commitment only

• No intimacy or passion; can change to other forms of love as times pass by; for example, an arranged marriage

Fatuous Love = passion + commitment

• is like getting engaged after dating for three weeks; feelings result in impulsiveness

Anyways, to start our phenomenology of love we must set aside these preconceptions about love. Now, let’s go back to our goal – to make a phenomenology of love.

Love exists in many and varying forms – one just needs to notice it and make the best out of it.

Loneliness and Admiration

The experience of love starts from the feeling of loneliness. As human beings, we are capable of being self-conscious – being aware of what is happening to ourselves and to our environment. Being able to reflect, we then realize that we are all unique, or completely different from one another, which pushes us to love ourselves first. This difference between people also causes arguments and fights due to difference – thus, making us feel misunderstood by the world and that the whole world is against us. The feeling may lead us to question where the fault is: within ourselves or within the rest of the world which promotes uniformity and creates specific standards for things and people. This may trigger negative feelings and thoughts which may later lead to the realization that we are lonely despite not being alone.

As individuals, we try to overcome loneliness by ourselves. This is where we develop our interests in other things since we try to distract ourselves from the thoughts of being lonely. Consumed by the thought that every human being is unique, we tend to always see the difference one between and the other – leading us to appreciate or admire those who have similarities to us since they are making us feel understood in a judgmental world. Admiration actually happens on a daily basis since we gather new experiences and explore new things every day. Admiration can happen between us and others, although it can happen inside you – you can admire even your other family members, strangers, even a part of yourself that you just discovered and appreciated. It is a part of the nature of human beings to see beauty even in times of darkness, and we can only be affected and devastated by that darkness if we chose and allow it to do so.

Moreover, love is not loneliness – It only starts from it. As we start trying to fill that gap between ourselves and others, we learn how to appreciate things that resemble us – as a sign of comforting ourselves from the thoughts and the feeling of being lonely. Then, loneliness ends when one finds comfort in other people through admiration. Lastly, we grow to care about the people we admire; just because we all want the best for them and we think that we can help them with that since they helped us in the first place.

With the help of others like friends, family, or even strangers, you will eventually learn how to love yourself. This will later lead to finding comfort coming from within you, thus becoming an independent individual, at least, emotionally and mentally.

Infatuation and Friendship

With admiration, we become infatuated which sometimes causes us to be obsessed with the thought of possession. We become preoccupied with the thought of owning someone. It is because we are probably scared that we may become lonely again once they are gone since they are the ones that “fixed” us. This is being infatuated with the person.

Love is different from infatuation. With love, you become in love with the person as a whole – not with the thought of being with that person and owning him/her. Since we are now somehow dependent on others, we seek advice and opinions regarding our decisions –especially if our decision will affect other people. Once enlightened, we will realize that becoming obsessed with the thought of possessing someone is not good for both parties, so we will just settle for friendship.

We all know that some love stories started from being strangers to friends, to being best friends to best man. Being called a “best friend” means a lot. It will feel like you are trustworthy as a person. You can be the happiest person when your best friend is around. When you fall into this kind of relationship, it will lead you to some sacrifices.

However, love does not need to be romantic in order to be called “love”. There is love in friendships, which proves that love is not indeed blind. In a friendship, you get concerned about their decisions, actions, et cetera since you want them to be a better person every day. You inform them if they have done anything wrong or are just about to do so, and you do something about it. You serve as a guardian towards their better self, not the controller of his/her life.

Love exists in a friendship, and it is often unnoticed. Furthermore, with the help of friends, you slowly learn to love yourself. This will later lead to finding comfort coming from within you, thus becoming an independent individual, at least, emotionally and mentally.

Honesty and Trust

No human was ever lived without saying any lies from their mouth. We are all suspects of being a liar. Any form of not telling the truth is definitely called a lie. They say that telling lies is natural for us as a human but these lies mean a lot in terms of love.

Honesty is rare nowadays since people tend to lack sincerity whenever they are showing their “love” for others– it is always that they lie in their actions or words, sometimes it is even both. “Actions speak louder than words,” but that does not mean that words do not matter. It is just that honesty requires actions to be inclined with the words, with sincerity and truthfulness, or else they are all just lies. People always fail in showing honesty because even if their actions and words match, their intentions are different.

Honesty means having to say the truth, even if it is good or bad. You have to tell the truth, especially if that truth is capable of affecting both of you: if it’s good, you will get trust; and if it is bad, you will get trust, respect, and even a lesson that you both can learn that can help you grow.

However, human beings are good in nature. But being bad and doing things that are not good does make you less of a human – as said, human beings are naturally good and it is our choice to choose otherwise.

Trust is not something that is easy to get or give to and from someone. It requires honesty, experience, time, attitude, and many more to prove that you are trustworthy. Honesty plays a vital role in gaining and giving trust to anyone. When one doubts and lacks trust towards the other, their bond weakens which may lead to worse situations.

Love is fostered whenever there is trust between one another. It allows the people and their relationships with one another to grow. Every word and action means a lot. Everything you do should be from your mind and heart. We all know that love needs mutual feelings to be nurtured but what if the other one fell out of love. This situation is very common in failed relationships. When your partner failed to love you throughout your relationship, lies take place. He/she can say all the sweet meaningless words in order to not hurt you instantly.

Love is Sacrifice

Sometimes, love requires sacrifice. But as a whole, love is not so much a sacrifice as it is a compromise. No matter how compatible the two people are or how much they have in common, they’re never going to agree 100% with each other all the time. They might agree 99.9% of the time, but there are inevitably going to be disagreements.

Life isn’t always going to go smoothly. Sometimes, things out of your control come along. It is when you disagree or hit a cosmic bump in the road that the need for sacrifices and compromises arises. When we say “love is sacrifice”, it suggests the meaning that we must give things up for the person we love and that is sometimes true. Yet, love does not always have to be a sacrifice, and also not all sacrifices will benefit your relationship. There are sacrifices that you don’t have to make, you should decide on what things are worth sacrificing and worth fighting for.

Also, when we say love is sacrifice, it does not always mean that the love you are making a sacrifice for is a person; it can be a love for your dreams. It is hard to choose what dream you’ll go for especially when you have two different dreams and one needs to be sacrificed; it can be a love for our country like how our national heroes sacrifice their lives for the freedom of our country. Sacrificing in love depends on how people think, and on how people interpret the word love.

Love is sacrifice, but not the way you think that it is always a sacrifice because love doesn’t always have to be a sacrifice. For example, if your partner’s actions suggest that you should sacrifice your mental health, emotional wellbeing, integrity, or safety, you can say no or even walk away. Those sacrifices do not benefit you or your relationship, and you don’t have to make them.

Love is Freedom

Showing your love needs to have freedom, for example, one asked, “What is the difference between ‘I like you’ and ‘I love you?’’ Buddha answered, “When you like a flower, you just pluck it but when you love a flower, you water it daily”. So, when you love a person you’ll never set a boundary for her to explore and wander around. You must let the person you love grow in different aspects of life, see the beauty of life, and let the person you love find and know himself or herself.

According to Steven Stosny, Ph.D., to be free to do something, you must be free not to do it. We are free to love only to the extent that we aren’t forced into it by guilt, shame, fear of abandonment, or, worst of all, the interpretation of vulnerable feelings as emotional needs. No matter how seductive ‘I need you’ may sound in popular songs; the partner who needs you cannot freely love you. If someone needs you, he or she is more likely to abuse you than to give freely of love and support. Most painful conflicts in committed relationships begin with one partner making an emotional request – motivated by a perceived ‘need’ – that the other, motivated by a different ‘need,’ regards as a demand. Any disagreement can feel like abuse when the perceived ‘need’ of one party to be ‘validated’ crashes headlong into the ‘need’ of the other not to be manipulated.

‘If you loved me, you’d do what I want (or see the world the way I do),’ one argues.

‘If you loved me, you wouldn’t try to control me,’ the other counters.

To love is freedom because when you love something or someone, you’ll never control his or her life; you’ll support and guide the decisions he or she will make; you’ll let him or her grow as a person with full of love.

Sometimes, love is an act of possessing or being possessed by another person like when we say “I love you” sometimes it means that “You are mine”. According to Erich Fromm, the popular notion of love at present is “falling in love”. It implies that there is only love when one is “in loved”. You have no love life if you are not in love. Fromm attributes this popular notion of love to three reasons: the emphasis on being loved rather than on loving, the emphasis on the object loved rather than on “love” itself. People talk about “ideal girl”, “knight in shining armor”, or “prince charming” but not so much about “how to love this man/woman…” and the confusion between infatuation and love.

By trying to overcome the feeling of loneliness, it leads us to look for a person who will appreciate us for who we are in this world full of judgments; who will comfort us when we are feeling down and it is natural for us, humans to see the beauty even in times of darkness. But still love is not loneliness, it only starts from it. Being infatuated starts from admiration, we want someone to own us because we are scared to become lonely again so, we are longing for someone to fix us yet, love has a deeper meaning than infatuation; it has a stronger feeling. However, love does not always need to be romantic because sometimes the love that we are looking for can be found in our family and friends.

No human was ever lived without saying any lies from their mouth. Honesty is rare nowadays and sometimes people who show their love lacks sincerity. Action speaks louder than words but action without words is sometimes confusing, it must be inclined with words with truthfulness and sincerity. Love requires sacrifice. But as a whole, love is not so much a sacrifice as it is a compromise. We must let our loved ones grow in different aspects of life; let us not limit their world just because we love them, if we really love someone we’ll let them explore the adventures in life.

Bibliography

1. Breines, J. (2012, August 9). Love, Decoded. Retrieved February 3, 2019, from Psychology Today: http://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-love-and-war/201208/love-decoded
2. Stosny, S. (2010, September 13). Freedom to Love. Retrieved February 3, 2019, from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anger-in-the-age-of- entitlement/201009/freedom-love
3. Entenman, E. (2018, June 25). Love is Sacrifice But Not in the Way You May Think. Retrieved February 3, 2019, from The Datemix: http://www.zoosk.com/date-mix/love/love-is-sacrifice/

Introduction

Passion is a powerful force that drives individuals to action. When directed towards social justice, passion becomes a catalyst for positive change in society. It fuels the desire to challenge inequality, fight for human rights, and create a more just and equitable world. In this persuasive essay, we will explore the importance of passion in the pursuit of social justice and why it is crucial to channel our passion into meaningful action.

Fueling Empathy and Understanding

Passion for social justice fuels empathy and understanding. It ignites a fire within us to learn about the experiences and struggles of marginalized communities. By cultivating empathy, we gain a deeper understanding of the systemic barriers and injustices faced by others. This understanding compels us to take action, advocating for those whose voices have been silenced or ignored.

Passion is a catalyst for change

Passion is the driving force behind social movements throughout history. It has the power to mobilize individuals, bring communities together, and challenge the status quo. When harnessed effectively, passion can lead to tangible outcomes, such as policy reform, increased awareness, and improved living conditions for marginalized groups.

By translating passion into action, we become agents of change. Whether it is through advocacy, volunteering, or organizing grassroots movements, our passion has the potential to create ripples of transformation in society. It is through passionate action that we can dismantle oppressive systems and create a more just and inclusive world for all.

Inspiring Others

Passion is contagious. When we passionately advocate for social justice, we inspire others to join the cause. Our passion can serve as a beacon of hope, rallying individuals around a shared vision of a more equitable future. By embodying our convictions and leading by example, we encourage others to reflect on their own values and take meaningful steps towards social change.

Moreover, passion can amplify marginalized voices and provide platforms for their stories to be heard. By advocating passionately, we uplift those who have been silenced and amplify their calls for justice. Our passion becomes a catalyst for creating a more inclusive society where every voice is valued and respected.

Overcoming Challenges

Passion for social justice equips us with the resilience needed to overcome challenges. It drives us to persist in the face of adversity, even when progress seems slow or obstacles seem insurmountable. Passion compels us to find innovative solutions, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and navigate the complexities of social issues.

In moments of doubt or discouragement, our passion reignites our determination and reminds us of the urgency of our cause. It fuels our resilience, empowering us to continue the fight for social justice even when faced with setbacks. Passion becomes the driving force that sustains us through challenges, ensuring that we remain committed to the pursuit of a more equitable world.

Conclusion

Passion is a powerful catalyst for change in the realm of social justice. When harnessed effectively, it fuels empathy, inspires action, and overcomes obstacles. Our passion has the potential to transform society, challenge oppressive systems, and uplift marginalized communities. By channeling our passion into meaningful action, we can create a more just, inclusive, and equitable world for all. Let us embrace our passion for social justice and become catalysts for change, igniting a collective movement towards a better future.

A passion is something or someone that you have a strong emotion towards. Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for adventure, the search for a lasting friendship, and reaching out to help children. These passions are something that could make or break my day; for this reason, I enjoy them.

First came my longing for adventure which started at an early age. Adventuring has led humans to new discoveries: it is a fun and important quality to have. Furthermore, people need to adventure for the world to be unearthed. This experience causes joy, courage, and excitement. Likewise, people do not always know where they are going, but that is the exciting part that leaves them wanting more. Adventuring leaves smiles on people’s faces because they learn new things and meet new people. Without a doubt, meeting new friends has been the highlight of my adventures because I value lasting friendships.

Next, my passion is the desire to find lasting friendships. Trust is one of the most important attributes of a lasting friendship. Without trust, the foundation of friendship is lost and lacks meaning. Another key point is that friendship is essential for the successful well-being of every person. Consequently, the chase of a lasting friendship can be exciting and exhilarating as people navigate their way through meeting new and interesting people. During that process, people have realized the true value of a good friend. However, in the end, I have found that the quest for friendships is not about the chase, but it is something beautiful on its own.

Equally important, I have a passion for helping kids because for as long as I can remember that is what I have been taught to do. The Supalla family has a long line of teachers in it. Teaching truly makes a difference. And that difference is the key to the success of the students. Student success is the ultimate teaching achievement. In fact, living an adventurous life, building relationships, and education are all keys to success.

Those three passions require both individual and combined great risk, trust, and overcoming difficulties. Adventuring is fun but can cost a lot and be risky. Meeting friends is beneficial forever if there is trust. And the difficult task of helping kids be successful by teaching them in their own way will also help them overcome their difficulties. All in all, these are some of my passions.

The sight of fair rides has invariably piqued my interest. It surprises me that your typical person is delighted in giving up the tranquility of the earth beneath you with the excitement of throwing themselves in the air like a food processor’s vegetables. At some point in history, someone believed that people could derive pleasure in it and created what had to be the first of these horrifying machines. For me, the joys and feelings of survival have kept me interested and eager for more.

My very first encounter with a fair ride was a roller coaster. I fainted, watching this looming monstrosity throw the life out of sardine-caged occupants. Huge, smoking, loud and not at all intimidating. Since this first impression became embedded in my imagination many years ago, these rides remind me of mythical creatures, dinosaurs carrying off their shrieking passengers like virgin victims. Even the roar of their machines is like a roar of dragons that emit fire with smoke from their nostrils.

The first ride on one of these great beasts gave me an immediate adrenaline rush. As the deadly ride began, a lump in my throat leaked out like a displaced heart, prepared to say my goodbyes. As the ride gained speed, my body’s resistance to gravity increased until I couldn’t move. A barely noticeable pause when the wheels reached the top of the climb allowed my body to rest briefly in a normal state. Then the machine continued to rotate, falling to the ground, resulting in a destructive zero gravity attack. When the wheels hit the floor, the impact of the plates vibrated in the air, and much to my surprise, I began to rise again. With each round it gave me confidence in the churning machine. Each ascent leaves me exhilarated that I survived the previous deadly crash. The next tense and shocking climb did not follow the last exciting descent, and when the ride was over, I knew I was hooked. Physically and emotionally empty, I followed the metal stairs along with my colleagues to keep my old legs safe. I had been spared, but had to do it again.

My fascination with these fantastic flights is rooted in my soul. A trip on the magnificent roller coaster never fails to thrill me. As I get older and have less time, or less inclination to play, the child like thrill I have on the roller coaster will continue with each and every turn.

One of my greatest passions is black and white photography! Yet, I don’t think there was a defining moment that sparked my interest in photography, and now I cannot imagine my life without it. Several years ago, my parents graciously gifted me my first DSLR camera for Christmas, and to this very day, it has never failed me! When I explore new places, I document my journey with my trusty Nikon D3200. In my experience, photography is a means of self-exploration, a quest to capture the abstract elements in humans and inanimate objects. Before taking a photograph, I spend a portion of my time surveying the natural light, colors, shapes, textures, and motion presented before me.

Lately, I have been thinking a great deal about the specific reasons I am drawn to black and white photography. Apart from being a beautiful medium for my photographs, black and white photography because it explores the relationship between light and darkness. More specifically, I am interested in studying the emotions highly contrasted black and white portraits elicit over that of colored images. I believe that the choice to manipulate tonal values and the severity of light expression of myself as an artist, rather than the original subject.

What happens when a photographer resists the attention drawn from the colors in their photographs? In my photographs, the lack of color reveals meaningful narratives that appeal on an artistic and emotional level. The emotional aspect is what I find very important and compelling. I would say that black and white photography is the primary factor responsible for making a photo feel more powerful, mysterious, or even somber. My work has taught me that the most common reason for this artistic choice is to remove color dominance. By removing the color, I took away one of the major elements, the element that is arguably the most distracting.

In black and white photography, the viewer must concentrate solely on the story and emotion behind the photograph rather than aesthetics. My work directs the viewer’s focus to the composition of the image because it is the only way to convey the subject in a way that extracts a deeper meaning. Furthermore, attention is redirected to my content in a way that observes the practical aspects of each photograph, such as light, shapes, lines, and textures. Removing color from my pictures allows the viewer to appreciate common, everyday situations from a new and reinvented perspective. In my work, combining this mystery with authenticity presents a powerful dynamic that requires the viewer to pay greater attention to detail.