The Bill of Rights of Love

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."--Aristotle

"Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love."--Erich Fromm

One of the most dynamic emotions one will experience in his/her lifetime is love. There are varying experiences and degrees of love but an intimate lifelong love between two souls appears to be the most coveted. At first glance it doesn't seem very hard to achieve in a world full of incredible people. Nonetheless, that type of love is a rare commodity. It cannot be substituted or mistaken.

Love has to go beyond an emotion because we as humans can learn in time how to control our emotions, turn them on and off. Love has to become an atmosphere and environment experienced mind, body and soul. If it is left in the emotional realm then sometimes you will feel it and sometimes you won't. Love isn't schizophrenic and doesn't alter itself due to external stimuli. You're not in love with someone and meet someone the next day and now your love is in question. You're not in love with someone but don't demonstrate it in words, deeds and actions. With this kind of love comes commitment and responsibility. If you aren't giving or receiving both then you really need to step back and re-examine the relationship.

You are a gift from God and you deserve to be treated as such. Different people like different things. You're not a gift to everyone but to that someone special. There is someone's life you fit into perfectly, and you both know it and feel it. If only you feel it, then don't try to make a square peg fit into a circle.

In this phenomenal experience there are things we all have a right to know and feel. Here are a few:

1. You have the right to know you are irreplaceable and that you have an immeasurable value.

2. You have the right to know come hell or hot water you will have someone that has your back.

3. You have a right to know that even if your worst secrets were exposed that someone else's love would cover you.

4. You have a right to know that what you share is consistent and doesn't fluctuate with moods, circumstances and opinions.

5. You have a right to know that in a world full of beautiful people that someone thinks you are the most beautiful, from the inside out.

6. You have a right to know that if you died tomorrow that although life goes on, someone's life would be filled with an emptiness that only you can fill.

7. You have a right to hear the words "I love you" as well as to see them in action.

8. You have a right to feel safe and secure and not threaten or disregarded.

9. You have a right to feel that there are no mountains or valleys that can prevail against your love.

10. You have a right to feel you are respected and admired above all others.

All of the above, are not just for you but also for the other person with whom you are in love. Love is a never-ending ring of reciprocity. If there is no reciprocity then something is broken and it will hinder you from experiencing the entirety of love and its overwhelming benefits.

Almost seems like a tough order to fill. That's where faith and patience come in. Sometimes we settle for less and see what we want to see because of the loneliness and desires in our lives. Sometimes we experience the "it seems to good to be true" moments. When all the infatuation smoke clears then we are left with a substance. This substance can either be broken in time or withstand the tests of time. Only you know the answer...but in whatever road you choose, just remember your love rights.