Love in all its forms

“Love, in all its forms, is the most powerful weapon we have. Because love is a form of hope. And like hope, love abides. In the face of everything”.

February is here, we know what this means, you know it, even retail stores know it. From hitting up the closest florist to searching online for stock of the biggest teddy bear known to man, this month amongst the other 11 stands out the most.

It’s the month whereby all chocolate prices skyrocket, since when has a Cadbury slab cost R31,99? There are better ways of spending this money, like putting a down-payment on a car! Okay, I’m reaching, but you catch my drift. For me personally, my husband and I hardly recognize this “Day” as a special occasion but rather decided that every day should be these “love days”.

Do I get upset when he doesn’t do anything special on this day? Of course I do! It’s Valentine’s Day after all!

Jokes aside, in this blog I’d like to talk about 4 different types of love accordingly to the ancient Greek methodology. A newly-wed writing a blog about love – “how predictable” you must be thinking. Stick around, I promise, it will be an interesting read!

The first is Philia, which is deep friendship love. The second is Agape, meaning love for everyone. Third, comes Philautia, meaning love of the self. Lastly, is Storge, which is family love.

These 4 contain the core component, which is love. It’s important that we speak about these types of love, as sometimes the word can be misconstrued in an unhealthy manner. I’m not here to say which way you should express your love, each one to their own you know? But rather explain that there are various ways of expressing your heart’s desires, before confusing them.

Philia

Philia love, short and sweet is a powerful emotional bond seen in deep friendships. This could be between you and your best friend of 10 years, or a bond between you and your dog, it’s a relationship that you hold dearly to your heart. One that you would jump into a fire for, figuratively. I feel this is the most common love shown in today’s society and is the foundation needed to create ever-lasting strong friendships or relationships.

Agape

Agape love is a love of choice, not out of attraction or obligation but pure love for another. It is stated that this is the highest form of love, which involves faithfulness, commitment, and an act of will. This is the type of love you have towards your significant other or family, a love that no matter the circumstance, remains un-withered.

Philautia

Philautia love, one of the most important types of love there is, in layman’s terms is self-love. Love yourself, love your eyes, your hair, your body, your name, love you! I know it’s easier said than done, but once you love yourself, any opinion of you other than yours doesn’t matter anymore. Remember, there are many books of life, but only you have the pen to become the author.

Storge

Lastly, comes Storge love. Another word for Storge is familial love, which refers to natural or some would say instinctual affection, such as the love of a parent towards offspring and vice versa. This is the type of love that binds the families together, races, clans, and social groupings.

In wrapping up, please don’t go searching for which love you do not possess and force it upon others. It’s okay not to have all of them, heck it’s okay if you only have one, you are you for a reason.

This month, I encourage you to show all those who contribute to your life how much you love them. Whether it be buying your grandmother a bunch of flowers, your dad those braai tongs he has been eyeing in Checkers, those bed-time slippers your mom claims are “not needed”, or even that perfume your significant other has moaned about all year, make the day special for them. It will feel good seeing them feel good.

Jack Hyles summed it perfectly, “Love is the doorway through which the human soul passes from selfishness to service.”

Until next time

Jamie-Lee Geduld (CFO)