There's a song that says love is a crazy and funny little thing. It's true, you know. It's the only thing that can make people do insane things. Love takes many forms, love for family, love for sisters and brothers, love for friends, even love for objects.. but when the word 'love' is used, the most common thing it refers to is the love between a male and a female- romantic love.

They all make a big deal out of love. It's the main theme in an astounding number of movies. It's used for commercial purposes and all. But I, I think it has diminished in its significance. The word 'love' is used too flippantly these days, and an 'I Love You' is no longer reserved specially for truly cherished ones, but serve only as mere exclamations. I do not watch romance movies, because I feel that it warps my ideals of love. Some may say I am an idealist. It's true, I believe that true love overcomes all obstacles. As cliched and 'lame' as it may sound to some, it's something I really have faith in because love is such a beautiful thing given to us by our creator. I believe in romantic notions. And I don't want to lose faith in this beauty, I don't want to become disillusioned.

When it comes to love life, some people throw open their hearts and invite others to manipulate their feelings. One of the most painful things, they say, is to 'love' someone so much that you make yourself vulnerable to that person's actions and words, hurting yourself in the end. The person becomes the major determinant of your moods and emotions. To be so controlled can only be pure agony. For me, when it comes to romantic love, it's been about guarding myself, guarding my heart. The cruel thing about love is that it can go unreciprocated and unappreciated. And that, has to be one of the worst feelings on earth. No wonder so many people would rather undergo physical pain than suffer this emotional torture.

But of course, the ideals state that true love means you would want the person to be happy, even if he or she does not return your affection. But how many of us can really stand firm in these 'ideals'? How many of us can watch someone you love be with someone else and feel genuine happiness? Of course, you may feel happy for that person, but something inside you is writhing and burning. Such agony it brings! Sometimes you think it's better to just give up and love a pillow or a singer instead. Like how some people have undying love for Jay Chou or their own bolsters.

Despite the pain love brings, it can also bring about the sweetest, most joyful feelings on earth. The feeling that you are almost the whole world to someone, the feeling that you make a tremendous difference, for the better, in someone's life. The spring in your step, the chirp in your voice. It's obvious at times. Someone being completely selfless for you. And things like these, all make the whole process worth it.

Faith, hope and love - and the greatest of these is love. They say that the greatest joy on earth is to love and be loved in return. Guess what? I believe it's true.

11:30 AM
(SALVATION)