Page 35 - Masala Lite Issue 158 | February 2024
P. 35

LOVE



        Dolly Koghar gives her generation’s take on

        the complex and profound nature of love.
        When someone asked Louis Armstrong to define jazz, he replied, “If you have to
        ask, then you’ll never know.” So, when I asked my sources, “What does love mean
        to you?” I didn’t know quite what to expect, because in truth, love is who and what
        the Creator is, and it’s that same love that sustains His creation. Nonetheless, I got
        some pretty profound and unexpected feedback that proves, once again, that we
        seniors are well worth paying attention to. In fact, the response from one of my
        buddies was almost passable as a well-researched thesis, and here’s what he said:

        “Love is a complex emotion and there’s no single definition, but it’s generally
        understood to be a deep feeling of affection and care for another person, which
        can be expressed through physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service,
        gifts, and quality time.
        “Love has three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment:
          •  Intimacy is the feeling of closeness and connection with the other person, which
            involves sharing thoughts and feelings, including one’s own vulnerabilities.
          •  Passion is the intense excitement and attraction towards the other person. It’s
            too often associated with physical intimacy, but it’s also expressed through
            intellectual or emotional connection.
          •  Commitment is the belief that the relationship is worth fighting for and worth
            staying in, even through difficult times.
        “There is no one right way to experience love, as long as it is genuine and heartfelt.
        Some people feel love very intensely, while others experience it more subtly. Some
        express their love openly and easily, while others are more reserved. Love is a
        powerful emotion that brings joy and happiness, but it’s also a source of pain and
        heartbreak. But even in its darkest phase, love teaches us valuable lessons. The
        benefits of love include:
          •  People in a loving relationship are happier and healthier, and live longer, since
            love reduces stress and boosts the immune system.
          •  Love challenges us to become better versions of ourselves; it helps one to grow   Love can't be discounted
            in empathy, forgiveness, and compassion.
          •  Love coddles us to feel safe and secure and supported; this sense of belonging
            gives a purpose to life.                                                    Make your Valentine's
        “Love isn’t always easy, especially in the face of life’s challenges. Nonetheless, the   celebrations extra special!
        rewards of love are far greater. Love is one of the most powerful and transformative
        experiences of life.”
                                                                                                        Enjoy a
        Here are other responses from those on the ‘sassy’ side of sixty, plus a couple of
        bonus respondents:
          •  “What is love? It’s too broad a question, but to me, love for a spiritual Master is   20% discount
            the highest form of love.  Nevertheless, I’ve experienced the sensation of intense
            love, albeit fleeting; one that lasted but a few months; and one that lasted
            some short years. It uplifted me to a hitherto unexperienced, unadulterated   at Ekka Grill and Bar on
            ‘high,’ best expressed in the song “Whenever You Come Around” by Vince Gill
            & Alison Krauss.”
          •  “Love means listening without judging, helping without publicising, not back-
            biting, forgiving even if hurt, and treating the other with respect!”
          •  “Love is a missed heartbeat when he calls; the thrill of spotting him across a
            crowded hall. Love for me means that he chooses to come home to spend his
            evenings and share his life with me.”
          •  “Love is bonding.”
          •  “True love is when one has felt God’s love within oneself, after which it’s possible   February 14th,  15th and 16th.
            to look at everyone with pyar de nazar (see everyone with love), despite their
            shortcomings.”
          •  “Love is unconditionally caring and supporting someone in good and bad times,      Call us:+66 90 927 9494
            without expectations.”
          •  “I discovered the definition of true love during my husband’s last few months,   WhatsApp: 090-927-9494
            when his life was slowly ebbing away and he was in a semi-coma state, and yet       Line: @ekkagrillandbar
            every time I held his hands, his heart beat and BP would revive. Till that one day
            when seeing him suffer so much and for so long, I whispered, ‘it’s ok, you can go   Email: booking@ekkabkk.com
            and I’ll be fine,’ and then he breathed his last. I can still feel his presence, after
            all these years.”                                                           56 Surawong Road Suriyawong Bangrak
          •  “Putting up with people though you don’t want to!” – a young mum                          Bangkok 10500
          •  “When you blush and feel funny in the stomach,” – a six-year-old with a crush

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