Cover Artist: Charlotte’s Photography
Title: Kissing in the Rain
Medium: Photography
Contact: www.facebook.com/
CharlottesphotographyCairns
I’m a local photographer in Cairns and surrounding areas. I don’t have a particular area of photography that I specialise in; instead I like to take on a bit of everything, from weddings and events, to everyday family portraits. I never get bored with my job as every day is new and exciting, and I never know who I will meet. I love my job as a photographer. I also love making people happy. How many people actually enjoy and are busting to go to work every day? I couldn’t have asked for more.
Love does not discriminate, nor does love have any bounds or limitations, but as you treasure another, so must you treasure yourself, for truly each of you is an irreplaceable child of God. The love that you would give to another, you must also bestow upon yourself. Treasure who you are and realise that the body, mind and spirit that you are is a joy beyond all knowing for the God that gave you life everlasting. Chong (2011)
Now, I admit that’s pretty deep, and yet we have sought throughout the ages and continue to seek the love of another to make ourselves complete – to fill the void, or to make us feel whole. It is as if we continue to go through life as a glass half full, in search of the other who can fill our cup.
Indeed, to fall in love is one of the most miraculous occurrences that will ever befall a human being. To feel love for a partner, child, parent or sibling is a gift beyond our most vivid imaginings.
How can we best describe the intensity of these feelings? Do these words or phrases do them justice?
- Ecstasy
- Happiness
- Pure bliss
- Elation
- Delight
- Profound pleasure.
These feelings, when applied to love, represent some of the most intense feelings that we can ever experience in life. But, let’s look for a moment at love through an old saying, shall we? The old saying is that ‘opposites attract’.
I guess ‘opposites attract’ means different personality types are a bit like the magnetic attraction of opposites. I, for example, am a really introverted guy, who likes to think things through before uttering a word. I like my private space. My treasured wife (bless her cotton socks), on the other hand, is a total extrovert. She loves to chat about things and she really enjoys having company around and people to discuss things with. I, on the other hand, would find more pleasure in the company of a book than in the company of others. Her foundational DNA is one of caring and compassion. Mine, on the other hand, is pragmatic: “Let’s look the thing directly in the face and deal with it.”
Now, in these years of my deepest content, I see that we are both able to understand and appreciate our differences, without their causing us great ructions, argument or distress. This, to be sure, has a lot to do with the getting of wisdom and lots of life experience. These things, of course, are still much in the development phase in the younger years. Yet, there is still a great deal that you can appreciate when you are catapulted into the intensity of love’s fiery embrace. Here are a few ideas that will smooth the path somewhat:
- When you see a pretty/handsome face, ask yourself, “What does their heart look like?”
- If you are attracted to their fabulous body, realise that when they get older, it’s very hard to keep it that way.
- When you see a really attractive person, is it your libido or your wisdom doing the talking?
- When you think that they are the one, you’d better dig really deeply to find out what they are really
- If you feel attracted to another person, you might like to be friends first. That way, you’ll have a greater understanding of one another if you ever want to be more than friends.
- If you want to become someone’s lover, take off your rose-coloured-glasses and see them for who they really are. Leopards can’t change their spots.
- Long-term relationships have more to do with (mutual) respect rather than (physical) attraction.
- Being different from you may be quaint, but it takes a bucket-load of understanding in the long run.
- When you meet someone new, don’t ask yourself, “Is he/she the one?” The question will drive you crazy. Just let the relationship evolve. (If it’s meant to be, the laws of attraction will not be able to resist.)
Oh, and a couple of other thoughts for consideration:
Happiness is within you, you do not need to seek it in another, it is already yours to enjoy. You are the only person responsible for your happiness.
Don’t get into a relationship because you are lonely, this will not serve you well. Loneliness clouds the judgement and veils the heart in its search for truth. Sure, loneliness is a pretty lousy feeling, but if you end up with the wrong person, the feelings and consequences are much worse. Being true to yourself (read: appreciating yourself for the wonderful person you are) is the pathway to the discovery of love.
Stephen Chong. An excerpt from his latest book, The Power and the Possible, available at Cairns Crystal Ball Bookstore.