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How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky


A powerful reinvention of the love story - sometimes heart-wrenching, sometimes ...
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How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

Created: 06/22/14

Replies: 13

Posted Jun. 22, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

How do you define love? Is it a mystical connection based solely on emotion, or is it a rational decision based on compatibility? A combination of the two? Which is more important?


Posted Jun. 26, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 914

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

I haven't a romantic bone in my body, and consequently have a great deal of distrust in that emotional connection. I tend to think that's all hormones talking, and I don't think it can last. I was a lot more comfortable when I met my future husband thinking, "Huh... this could work..." and having it get better & better all the time. So I lean toward rational, I guess.

And I definitely don't believe in the soul mate, just one person is out there waiting for you thing. I think if you keep an open mind, there are likely many people with whom one can have an excellent, long-lasting partnership.


Posted Jun. 26, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
deeh

Join Date: 03/03/12

Posts: 241

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

I define love as the ability to care deeply for a person after the insanity of infatuation is over. There is a point early on where you cannot imagine your significant other could do anything wrong, but after a while you begin to notice the little things, the feet of clay, so to speak. The rational part of your mind asks, "Can I go on living with that? Will it drive me over the edge?" I've been around long enough to know I can't change or save someone who has character flaws that make me grind my teeth. The ability to cope and still care is the reality of love.


Posted Jun. 26, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 914

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

Well said, Dee! Couldn't agree more.


Posted Jun. 26, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sandra54

Join Date: 05/01/13

Posts: 62

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

I agree also. That is why you have to wait for the insanity to pass before you say your I do's.


Posted Jun. 27, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Retired Reader, NE

Join Date: 09/16/11

Posts: 165

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

Falling in love is emotional. Staying in love and building a lasting relationship requires rational behavior.


Posted Jun. 27, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ruthiea

Join Date: 02/03/14

Posts: 271

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

I think it is a combination of the two, as Deeh articulated so well! there has to be an attraction as well as a rational awareness that this relationship is worth working on and work is the operational word! Even the attraction may wane without effort!


Posted Jun. 27, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sweeney

Join Date: 05/24/11

Posts: 185

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

I think that everyone's definition of love is different and personal. Myself, I agree that it is a combination. It is a step beyond caring...and willing to do something for someone else in lieu of for yourself.


Posted Jun. 28, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mal

Join Date: 09/09/13

Posts: 164

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

Good question. I'm not sure. I believe love is the precursor to something deeper and much more that follows. Maybe it is a bit of both, unknown, just look at the divorce rate. If we could answer this question perhaps we could solve the demise of most relationships.


Posted Jul. 03, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
pennyp

Join Date: 03/22/12

Posts: 353

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

Falling in love is an emotional response, hanging in there after the glow wears off is a rational response


Posted Jul. 07, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

I think that love between mature adults is definitely a combination of both emotion and reason. The thing called love between most teenagers is mostly hormones and not a lot of rational thought anywhere in sight. And mature love evolves endlessly in long term relationships and can flip flop from an emotional to a ratio0nal connection many times over the years.


Posted Jul. 17, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
johnp

Join Date: 07/02/12

Posts: 7

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

I think every one has a different definition of love. We can love a person by caring, being physically attracted,being emotionally connected, etc. We can love someone because they need you. Can we love our pets? Our home? The same way as we love a person? I do think we can and the combination of rational, emotional, physical comes into play and changes as the relationship continues.


Posted Aug. 13, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cb

Join Date: 03/19/14

Posts: 26

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

I believe you can have a strong connection with another, even build a life of astounding contentment -without the love thing. I believe you can love someone and spend a lifetime fighting and struggling and hoping and despairing for a peace that never comes. In an ideal world, you'd feel that hormonal, undefinable love connection with your perfect soul mate. But there is surely nothing ideal about life's journey.


Posted Aug. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
johnp

Join Date: 07/02/12

Posts: 7

RE: How do you define love? Is it an emotional connection, a rational decision, or a combination of both? Which is more important?

Is there a physical reaction to the emotion of love? Can you physically desire someone without love in a meaningful way?
How does that play into your emotions?


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