PREAMBLE

Having first written the journal entry below, I’m coming back to acknowledge that it may have some value for the uncounted number of people who struggle to create and maintain healthy romantic relationships, but it is myopic at the same time.   The greater value in understanding and incorporating unconditional love into our lives is  to apply the principles of acceptance and respect to ALL our human relationships!   I am reminding myself daily to not judge others near and far, but rather to accept that everyone . . . everyone is involved in their own struggle through life.

JOURNAL ENTRY

The following comes from Psychology Today: ” When love is unconditional, these three signs are usually present.  1) When your partner loves you unconditionally, they love the version of you that’s right in front of them.  There’s no secretly hoping that you’ll change with time, no ideal version they’re waiting on;  2) A lot of love is lost in the expectation of having it returned . . . Keeping score doesn’t help . . . this type of love turns bitter and eventually falls apart; and  3) When your partner thinks of the relationship and what would make you happy before their own ego, pride, and selfish desires, it shows more than just commitment.  Feeling completely safe to be yourself around your partner and experiencing a deep emotional connection without fear of judgment is one of the biggest signs of unconditional love.”

[Psychology Today continues . . . ]

 “A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Psychology proposed a comprehensive theory of love, identifying four core factors— attraction, connection, trust, and respect—that interact to create lasting love . . . Among the four essential components of love, the roles of trust and respect are especially important for creating emotional safety and prioritizing a partner’s happiness.”

[Photo Max Vollmer, Click on image to enlarge]