Just about every positive relationship we have can be put into some sort of category (I know that's a stretch, but humor me if you will). I’ve narrowed those categories to three for simplicity’s sake: like, love and smart love. Let me demonstrate what I mean:
Setting: Taking a walk.
Like: You make sure your friend looks both ways before crossing the street.
Love: If a car is barreling toward you, you push your lover to safety and willingly put yourself in peril.
Smart Love: You stay out of the middle of the road.
Setting: In a boat.
Like: When your friend falls overboard, you signal for help.
Love: When your lover falls overboard, you jump in for the rescue.
Smart Love: You make sure that person doesn’t fall off the boat in the first place.
Setting: At your favorite restaurant.
Like: When your friend starts to choke, you loudly ask if there’s a doctor in the house.
Love: Your lover turns blue, so you perform something resembling the heimlich and then go in for some mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Smart Love: You don’t tell a hilarious joke while he or she is trying to eat.
Setting: Getting closer.
Like: You find out favorite foods, movies, colors, clothing, hobbies and music.
Love: You go further and find out favorite flowers, fragrances and candy.
Smart Love: You learn that person’s hopes, dreams and heart’s desires.
Setting: An argument.
Like: True friendship is never having to say you’re sorry.
Love: True love is never having to say you’re sorry.
Smart Love: You apologize anyway.
Setting: In times of pain.
Like: You try to help your friend out by giving advice.
Love: You do all you can to make it right for your lover.
Smart Love: You shut up and just offer a heart, a hand, a shoulder and a hug.
Setting: Keeping in touch when you’re apart.
Like: You send birthday and Christmas cards every year, with a few e-mails just to keep in touch.
Love: You write love notes and call often to keep love’s flame burning.
Smart Love: You never let that person get too far away for too long.
Setting: Saying goodbye.
Like: Promises you’ll keep in touch, and makes an effort to do so
Love: Vows you'll always remember that person, but lost love is eventually eclipsed by time and newfound love.
Smart Love: Never has to say goodbye.
Setting: Blogging.
Like: You vent on your blog when you’re angry at your friend.
Love: You vent on your blog when things are rocky with your lover.
Smart Love: You take a long walk.
Smart love does require some thoughtfulness, but the heart still reigns supreme. Smart love is kind, it is patient and it cares. It's not perfect, but love between two people can only go so far. I hope today finds you liked, loved and smart. Have a great weekend.
Interesting ideas, T.
Does anyone remember this song from Sesame Street? Which one is not like the others...?. Sharing my thoughts humbly.
"Blogging," doesn't feel like it'd fall into:
If this, then that.
/end.
Blogs (diaries) are emotional devices. They can be set so the public cannot view them.(Don't air dirty laundry in public philosophy?) I think a SmartLove answer could be: Open Communication at all times. That Friend, Lover, Eternal Commitment is a part of your life. Keep your cards on the table. Anyways, happy/safe weekend T!
Always, T, words to inspire. Thankee kindly, White Knight!
EXCELLENT!! True and inspiring.
Great thoughts. Think I'll work hard on the smart love part of your blog.
Thanks, and have a nice weekend.
Wonderful post. I really think that could be the answer to world peace!
My weekend didn't find me liked, loved, or smart...looks like it's time to hit the books.
That was a very nice post. :)
re: blogging
you delete your blog entirely, wiping out any memory of that person.
:(
monkeysocks is dead.
I must love everyone.
About the blogging thing... my boyfriend reads my blog now and I have to have a seperate private diary blog to vent anything i dont want him to see... its a pain, but so worth it... SO WORTH IT!
loved the post.
ps i moved my site if you want to update your link... fyi.
loveya-kd