Love is such a complicated thing. Every one has their own definition of love. What about unconditional love? What does unconditional love mean to you?
Selflessness. In my opinion, the number one characteristic of unconditional love is selflessness. You have to be able to put the needs of the object of your affection first. You have to want to watch them grow and succeed. You want help them grow and succeed. It requires the ability to see the other person’s needs and meet them.
Acceptance. It’s difficult to love someone in their entirety. However, unconditional love demands it. You must be able to accept a person’s flaws and the situations those flaws create. Unconditional love requires that one does not try to change the object of their affections.
Understanding. Understanding is a pillar that holds unconditional love together. You have to understand the object of your affections. That means that you can empathize with the person. It means you can look past the surface and really see the core of the person.
Appreciation. Unconditional love requires appreciation. You must be able to appreciate the person you love. That includes supporting them and valuing them.
Expectation. There is no expectation of reciprocation.
Unconditional love, in my opinion, more complicated than romantic love because it doesn’t have to be reciprocated. That is what makes unconditional love so hard sometimes. You can truly love a person unconditionally, but they don’t quite feel the same as you. Without the conditions of a relationship (reciprocal care, respect and boundaries), unconditional love can be soul crushing. I know this from experience. I unconditionally love someone that I am pretty sure doesn’t feel the same about me, and it makes me sad. Without those conditions that define a relationship, unconditional love can be unsustainable.
What about you? What qualities are in your definition of unconditional love.
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