Just thought I'd share something I came across a few moments ago........
How do you know you're not IN LOVE???
Love is the most powerful influence on earth but it doesn't guarantee that everything will be perfect and easy. It brings immense challenges, causes much heartache and makes us do things beyond our natural capabilities. Someone once said that love is one of the simplest concepts; yet it may be one of the most difficult undertakings.
FOR THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE THEIR PARTNERS: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8
"Love is patient."
1. You are not in love if you always complain about your partners' personality; the way he/she dresses up; if you can't endure his/her company when you go out with your friends.
"Love is kind."
2. You are not in love if you always hurt the one you're with; if you've become so insensitive and inconsiderate about his/her feelings; if you've become uncompassionate and beginning to care less of him/her.
"Love is not jealous or boastful or arrogant or rude."
3. You are not in love if you are jealous of your partner's accomplishments; if you always spite him/her for his/her advantages over you; or if you are greedy enough not to share his/her time with anyone.
4. You are not in love if you're always bragging about how you're treating him/her - how you always pay for the date's expenses, how you've always try to solve the problems of your relationship or how much you've given up for the sake of your "love" for him/her.
5. You are not in love if you are always too proud to admit that your partner is right and you are wrong; if you don't want to accept your own faults and always blame it to him/her; if you don't want to accept help or advice from him/her; and if you always think superior over your partner (remember a relationship is a partnership).
6. You are not in love if you don't respect your partner's decisions or suggestions, if you always embarrass him or her in front of your relatives or friends, if you tell people about his/her mistakes (Remember that discretion is a big factor inbeing in love.) "It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful."
7. You are not in love if you always want your partner to do the things you want.
8. You are not in love if you always get mad when your partner seems to know more than you do or when he/she is usually right about something, and if you always disagree with him or her over little things.
9. You are not in love if you always feel offended when people praise your partner; if you're piqued by his/her behavior; and if you are not happy being with him or her.
"It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth."
10. You are not in love if you always insist "wicked ways to your partner (better get married first); if you always stop him/her from spending time with his/her family or friends; and if you lie to your partner and if you try to hide something from him/her.
11. You are not in love if you try to change your partner - you have to love him/her the way he/she is.
"It bears all things, believes all things, hope all things, and endures all things."
12. You are not in love if you cannot put up with your partner's shortcomings.
13. You are not in love if you don't trust your partner.
14. You are not in love if you don't have any faith in your partner.
15. You are not in love if you cannot suffer with him or her in times of trials or troubles, if you cannot commit yourself to him/her in good or times.
16. You are not in love if you don't share your thoughts, your feelings or your dreams with your partner.
"Love never ends."
17. You are not in love if you think your love for your partner is starting to fade away.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE "PROSPECTIVE" PARTNERS:
1. You are not in love if you only like that person's looks his/her station in life his/her peers and for his/her achievements.
2. You are not in love if you only like that person because you have lots of things in common (although it may start from there - it is still not a basis to fall in love).
3. You are not in love if you only hope for some romance to ease loneliness or so as not to be left out by your peers.
4. You are not in love if you only want to show that person to impress your friends.
5. You are not in love if you try to steal that person from someone else that you even make up stories to do so. Remember, love is not distractive.
6. You are not in love if you only want a person you can easily control.
7. You are not in love if you suddenly feel something for that person who just announced he/she is going to get married - especially if it's your best friend. It might just be a bout of selfishness or possessiveness.
8. You are not in love if you only like that person for what he/she can give you or for security reasons.
9. You are not in love if you ask yourself "Do I love him/her?" - you're already doubtful of your feelings.
So am I in love?
& I just did (9) again...
Time to start repacking my feelings all over. Sigh.