Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 105: Things I Can't Do For Love

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Love is a feeling of affection, care, respect, trust, and companionship towards a person or a thing. Love can be classified based on agape, which is unconditional and selfless love. Eros, which is love between couples (i.e., romantic love), and philia, which is a friendly love between friends, colleagues, etc.

Mutual love and love that is reciprocated is the best type of love, but a love that is one-sided and toxic is dangerous to a person's physical and mental health. Love involves more than just words; it encompasses reciprocal action. It involves sacrifice, commitment and empathy. Love can bring joy, happiness and fulfilment. Love also provides a sense of belonging.

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Yes. I love a lot of people. My parents, my siblings, my friends. But I'm writing about this peculiar love I found in a person who is not related to me by blood. I met this girl at school; her name is Cherry. She was so humble, so kind and very beautiful the first day I met her. I loved the way she spoke, her poise, and the way she carried herself. I was attracted to that. She gave a nice speech in school, after which I approached her to commend her on the well-delivered speech.

She smiled warmly and complimented my outfit. We talked at length, and I found out we were so much alike and shared a common goal of becoming a nurse.

It was amazing to see someone who matched my vibe. We exchanged numbers, and we kept on talking with each other, going out together, sharing our thoughts and feelings, crying with each other, supporting each other when the need arose, having each other's back and never giving up on each other till today.

Our friendship is built on mutual love, respect, kindness, humility and trust, and these are the qualities that made me love Cherry.

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There are lines I'll never cross for the sake of love, no matter what. One of which is pleasing the person while displeasing myself.Love should be mutual, but when it becomes one-sided, that isn't love. I've seen a friendship and a relationship where the person prioritises their partner's needs and desires over their own, and the partner being pleased becomes accustomed to having their needs met without reciprocating the other's feelings.

This type of relationship is considered toxic and unhealthy, and it can lead to emotional exhaustion and even the depression of the former. I can never be a people pleaser. I believe in a two-sided relationship because that is what love entails.

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Another line I can never cross in a friendship or relationship is staying in a relationship or friendship where there is DISRESPECT and ABUSE. Love should not be violent; love should be kind and peaceful, but when any sort of disrespect or abuse is in that relationship, I'm leaving the relationship at that moment.

When a partner starts being disrespectful, giving belittling comments about the partner, and starts cheating on the partner, but when asked, he ignores or uses manipulation to avoid the conversation and also is very dishonest, that is a whole red flag for me in a friendship or relationship.

Also, using verbal and physical abuse on a partner in a friendship or relationship is toxic, and one is advised to leave that relationship or friendship immediately. To prevent this kind of toxicity, I personally like to set boundaries while focusing on my physical, mental and emotional well-being.

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Personally, love can be expressed using words of affirmation. That sentence "I love you" can go a long way in building a mutual relationship. Constantly telling your partner, friend or family how much you love him or her and how much you value him or her. Words of appreciation and encouragement can strengthen a relationship.

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Also, acts of service are an important expression of love. Personally, I love this one. It involves taking actions to care for and support your partner physically, financially and emotionally. Also when a person who loves someone gives thoughtful presents and gifts, it shows appreciation and strengthens love.

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Spending time with your loved ones is also an expression of love. Spending quality time with people you love, talking, sharing meals together, having fun together, and sharing your thoughts, feelings and emotions together can build up love.

Everyone deserves love, and it is important to know the qualities of love in order to maintain a friendship or relationship. According to the Bible, love is patient and kind, love is not jealous, love does not get puffed up with pride, love endures forever, and love never fails.