The word love on its own is not enough

Loaded words like love hold a myriad of meanings, which unless understood in context, can be used as a weapon.

For example, in the relationship between teenage boys, a deep sense of friendship without any sexual desire is easily maligned for something it is not.

In ancient Greece, love was described in at least six ways.

Eros, or desire 

Philia, or deep friendship. 

Ludus, or playful love. 

Agape, or love for everyone and everything

Pragma, or longstanding love.

Philautia, or love of the self.

Imagine if we re-animated these words to provide contours to the complexity of love.

We could provide safety in Philia without the harsh discrimination that comes from reading into a situation something that is not. 

The word love on its own is not enough.

Photo Taken March 21st 2023