6 Types of Love

Just a few days back I posted Love vs Infatuation... Those of you who know me might have been surprised that I'd cover the topic- but fact of the matter is that throughout my teenage years, I wondered what love meant, what all the hype was... I tried to define it but never succeeded. In the end I accepted that it was just chemicals messing with my brain.

However, I just came accross a rather interesting article- about 6 different types of love. I guess this means I was going about it all wrong- there isn't one universal definition of love, there's six! You can read the article here.

Love Vs Infatuation

I've long stopped thinking about the difference between love and infatuation, and yet there was a time when I thought about nothing else. I liked someone, was really attracted to her, and asked myself if I loved her. I still don't know if I did. However, I just stumbled upon an interesting comparison between love and infatuation and it got me thinking again. The original can be found at: http://loveinfac.rediffblogs.com/

Love Vs Infatuation

Infatuation is instant desire,
One set of glands calling to another.

Love is friendship that has caught fire.
It takes root and grows,
One day at a time.

Infatuation is marked by a feeling of insecurity.
You are excited and eager,but not genuinely happy.
There are nagging doubts, unanswered questions,
Little bits, pieces about your beloved
That you would just as soon examine too closely.
That might just spoil the dream.

Love is the quiet understanding and mature acceptance of imperfection.
It is real. It gives you strength and grows beyond you, to bolster your beloved.
You are warmed by his presence, even when he is away.
Miles do not separate you. You want him near. But near or far,
You know he is yours and you can wait.

Infatuation says,"We must get married right away.
I can't risk losing him."

Love says, "Be patient. He is yours. Plan your future with confidence."

Infatuation has an element of sexual excitement. Whenever you are in one another's ompany you are hoping it will end in intimacy.

Love is the maturation of friendship. You must be friends before you can be lovers.

Infatuation lacks confidence. When he's away, you wonder if he's cheating.
Sometimes you check.

Love means trust. You are calm, secure, and unthreatened. He feels your trust and it makes him even more trustworthy.

Infatuation might lead you to do things you'll regret later, but love never will.

Love lifts you up. It makes you look up. It makes you think up. It makes you a better person than you were before.

Alright, I'll admit the end got a little too intense, but on the whole this does make some sense- I couldn't agree more with the beginning. I guess it wasn't love after all!

On second thought, according to what the author has written, love at first sight is just infatuation- love takes time to grow. That'd make Shakespeare's belief in 'love at first sight' wrong. What do you think?