80 Affirmations of Love
If we are affirming for love, it means we want love in our lives.
Today, everything changes rapidly. While coffee means either Turkish coffee or espresso for me, it can be White Chocolate Mocha for someone else. The two of us drink different products under the name of “coffee”. I think Love is in the same situation. Everyone’s understanding of love is different.
What is love for you, how is it? I am waiting for those who want to share in the comments or e-mail 🙂
In the meantime, shall we take a look at how love has lived in history and in different cultures? From whom, what love stories came out?
Love in Ancient Greece
Love has an important place in Greek mythology. Many gods are concerned with the feeling of love. There have been wars for love, temples built for love have survived to the present day.
Cupids:
Agape (ἀγάπη): Etymological meaning “brotherly love”, the task of this god is to provide ideal love and increase physical attractiveness.
Eros (ἔρως): This word, meaning sexual love, is based on the archer god Eros.
Philia (φιλία): Heals broken loves.
Storge (στοργή): Cares of motherly love.
Xenia (ξενία): Transforms hatred and enmity between people into love.
Aphrodite (Αφροδίτες): Goddess of love and beauty.
Ancient Greek Lovers – Hero and Leander
The battles of the Dardanelles are epics and their loves are legends. Like the Trojan War and the Dardanelles War, like the loves of Paris and Helena, Hero and Leander.
Unlike the love of Paris and Helena, which causes the destruction of peoples, the love of Hero and Leander is a heartbreaking love that does no harm to anyone but the lovers themselves.
At the narrowest point of the Dardanelles, there are two cities called Abidos on the Anatolian side and Sestos on the Thrace side. Is it possible for two young people to come together in a strait whose two sides do not come together? But this is love, two lovers manage to overcome all difficulties and come together. However, the jealous waters of the strait separate the two young people as they brought them together.
Hero is one of the priestesses of the temple of Aphrodite in the city of Sestos. Paths and eyes cross with Leander, the handsome young man from Abydos. When aiming at the arrows of Eros, which is unknown to whom it will pierce; The fire of love falls into the hearts of two young people with a look, a smile…
The easier it is for them to fall in love, the harder it is for young people to come together. One, on one side of the strait, the other one is on the other side. Moreover, is it possible for a nun who has sworn allegiance to Aphrodite to love someone or meet a man on earth? But this is love; neither cares about prohibition nor distance.
The two young people get along somehow, and the waters of the strait that separates them during the day carry her lover to Hero every night, with the strokes that Leander throws at night. When it gets dark, Leander swims across the waters of the Bosphorus towards her lover, who is waiting in the tower with a torch in hand. One stroke, another stroke, his body, chilled by the waters, warms in Hero’s arms. When the sun starts to break, he swims back to his city and home.
In one of Hero’s anxious waits, the waves do not allow Leander to pass in the rough sea. Adding the wind to this ominous night, it deprives the young man of the torch light on the tower that helps Leander find his way.
The Bosphorus that separates them while they live, unites two lovers in death. When the waves swept the lifeless body of Leander onto the beach, the young girl, who could not hug his warm body, drops herself down from the tower to bring their cold bodies together…
There is no separation in love, when two souls touch each other, they will not be seperated again. Because it is actually the meeting of energies and even if the body ends, it continues to live.
Love in Chinese Culture
Love has an important place in Chinese tradition. We can easily observe this through various currents of thought.
Love is the central concept for Confucianism.“Ren”, the word meaning love, is the basis of Confucian teaching. Confucius, who died in B.C.479, summarized his life as follows:
“At the age of 15, I dedicated myself to learning. At 30, I was able to control my will. At 40, I walked away from doubts. At the age of 50, I learned the “order of the sky”. At the age of 60, I grasped everything through intuition. At 70, I was able to do what my heart wanted without damaging what was right.”
Mohism, on the other hand, supports universal love. Known for a letter developed by the Chinese philosopher Mozi.
The Chinese language, as it is known, has a separate letter for each word. This letter used to describe love; formed by combining the words heart and feeling. It is pronounced as Aî.
Although Mozi is known for this letter he developed, he has done a lot to spread universal love and even started a trend. The Mohism movement advises to apply love not only to living things but also to inanimate things. Love is very important in Chinese Buddhism. To be enlightened, one must love. The greater the love, the greater the probability of being an intellectual in the Buddhist religion.
Chinese Love Story – BUTTERFLY LOVERS
Butterfly Lovers is China’s legendary love story. Originating from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), the legend still lingers in what is today Zhejiang Province in East China.
According to the story, Zhu Yingtai is a beautiful and intelligent girl from a wealthy family who enjoys studying. At that time, as girls were not allowed to go to school, she dressed as a boy to go to school, despite her father’s objections. On the way to school, she meets a boy named Liang Shanbo and they become friends. During their three years of education, they take great pleasure in their friendship, both while studying and in their spare time. Liang falls in love with Zhu, but never learns that she is a girl. Three years later, his father orders Zhu to return home.
As they leave, Zhu hints to Liang about her true identity and also pretends to arrange a marriage between Liang and her “sister”.
When Liang arrives at Zhu’s house, he finally learns that Zhu is the “sister” he is supposed to marry. Unfortunately, it is too late because Zhu’s father marries his daughter to Ma Wencai, the son of a local official. In the gazebo at Zhu’s house, they both have to say goodbye, reaffirming their love for each other.
When Liang returns home, he falls ill with sadness and later dies. Zhu’s heart shatters when she learns the news. On her wedding day, she insists on mourning at Liang’s grave before going to Ma’s house.
When she arrives at the tomb, she is caught in a storm. Suddenly, lightning opens the tomb and Zhu leaps into it before it closes. Shortly after, two butterflies fly out of the grave and flap their wings like a pair of lovers.
Love in Japanese Culture
In Buddhism in Japan, “love” is absolutely necessary to be an enlightened person. Those who are selfish or unselfish cannot be enlightened no matter what they do. In Japanese, love is expressed and pronounced the same as in Chinese.
In Japanese culture, love is not just for women, men, nature. The love between mothers and their children is also very important. Japanese mothers who teach themselves from the word amae (甘え), the Japanese word for fondness, serve their children. The reward for their service is just a hug. Although it is not required by law in Japan, men who cheat on their wives kill themselves if their wives find out that they have been cheated on.
Japanese Love Story – SAKURA
Centuries ago, there were times of terrible wars in Japan. In this troubled period, there is a very beautiful forest that has not suffered from war. Very nice scents emanate from the leaves of the trees in the forest. This forest is a consolation for the Japanese people who have always seen war.
In this forest of hope and fragrance, there is only one tree that does not smell good. It never blooms on the branches of the tree that looks dead and dry. That’s why he is alone in the forest, very lonely. Because even animals do not approach him for fear of being affected by his condition. Even the grass does not grow around the tree.
According to the Sakura legend a fairy is sent to the tree; as he looks old although he is young. The fairy tells the tree in a gentle and beautiful language that she wants it to look beautiful and bright. The fairy uses her supernatural powers and casts magic that will last for twenty years. Thanks to this magic, the tree begins to feel as the human heart feels.
The fairy tells him that he can transform into a human and a plant whenever he wants, thanks to magic. It also says that in twenty years, if he does not regain his vitality and brilliance, he will die suddenly.
The tree realizes over time that, as the fairy says, it can become a man or a tree whenever it wants. He decides to stay human, to discover if his human feelings can make him smell good. But at first he is disappointed. Because there is war all around. Seeing this, he decides to become a tree again.
There will be no change for many years. Whatever the tree does, it is in a helpless situation.
When the tree decides to be human again one day, while passing by a very clear stream, he encounters Sakura, a young and beautiful girl. The tree is very impressed by Sakura. Sakura and the tree get closer. Sakura is very kind to the tree. Against this kindness, the tree helps the girl carry water to her house. Along the way, they chat about the wars in Japan.
When the conversation goes well, Sakura also asks the tree for its name and the tree calls itself ‘Yohiro’. Over time, Sakura and the tree become very close friends. They sing songs and read poems and stories together. They meet very often. As Tree learns about Sakura, he wants to learn more and get closer to her.
One day, Yohiro can’t stand it and declares his love to Sakura. He even admits that he is actually a tree. He also says that he will die soon because he still doesn’t smell good. Sakura can’t say anything against these words.
With just twenty years to go, Yohiro turns into a tree again, and he grieves day by day. One day, Sakura comes out. She hugs the tree and tells that she is in love with him too and does not want him to die. Just then, the fairy appears and asks her: “Do you want Yohiro to remain human or do you want to merge with Yohiro, who is a tree?”
Sakura looks around and only remembers the battle. And she chooses to be with Yohiro, the tree. Finally the magic happens. The two combine and the tree begins to smell good all of a sudden. Since then, their love has made the Japanese fields and countryside smell like perfume.
Sakura legend says:
“Another person can bring out the best personality in you.”
Love in Turkish Culture
The effect of love is great in Turkish culture and language. The increase in the interest in love in Turkish culture started with the acceptance of Islam. Love in Turkish culture is divine love just like in Persian culture. Of course, poems were written not only for divine love but also for women and natural beauties. The influences of both the east and the west are seen in Turkish culture.
I think Rumi defines love best in this land. Mevlana, who is the symbol of love, patience and tolerance all over the world, took Sufism to a very advanced point and kept the Islamic renaissance alive by incorporating dance, music and poetry into religious rituals.
Love is according to Rumi:
- Love is like falling off a cliff, that’s why the lover is called “yar”.
- Love is neither chastising nor falling in love with one and then with another one. Even though the ground moves, not to move the love in the heart from its place…
- In order to chant love, the word must fall into the heart before it reaches the lips.
- If you want to experience love; First you will learn to live. Good days don’t come to you, you will walk to them.
- Those who do not have love in their hearts, get up and fall in love.
- Oh heart! Do you think love and passion in this and that? Yet it is in your bosom, do you still not understand?
- If you will love someone, you will touch the soul, not the skin. If you will love someone, you will love the inside, not the outside. Everyone loves what they see. But you’ll love what you don’t see. If you want it in essence, not in words; You will touch the soul, not the skin.
Turkish Love Story – Ferhat and Şirin
The story of Ferhat ile Şirin, which has been the subject of poems and stories, has become an impossible love tale. Although they love each other very much, it is a true love story of lovers who have been stuck in obstacles for centuries.
Ferhat is the best muralist of his time. He decorates all religious buildings and palaces. It is rumored that the decorations and works he made are very beautiful because they reflect his endless love for Şirin. Ferhat is a strong and brave young man. He fell in love with Şirin at first sight, sister of the Amasya Sultan, named Mehmene Banu. Şirin is also in love with Ferhat. But there was something that neither of them knew. Mehmene Banu had also seen Ferhat before and fell in love.
One day, Ferhat sends his family to Mehmene Banu to to marry Şirin. Because Mehmene loves Ferhat in Banu, she does not want them to get married. However, since she has an extreme love and devotion to her sister, she does not want to upset her sister. It doesn’t take long to find a solution to this.
She offers Ferhat a condition for marriage. She says: There is no water in the city. If you want to marry Şirin, bring water to town. And I’ll let you marry my sister. Ferhat does not object to this impossible condition that is presented to him. His family and those around him are very vocal for Ferhat to give up this crazy job. However, Ferhat risked everything for his love.
He will bring the water to the city and reach Şirin. He collects all the equipment he will need, such as pickaxes and shovels, and sets out. In order to bring the water, he first starts the plans and projects. He must bring the water from the place known as Şahinkayası today, because that is the most suitable and convenient place. But it is quite far from the city. But he must do it for his love.
He starts hitting the big mountain. As he hits the pickaxe, the rocks break into pieces and Ferhat advances on the pickaxe. Mehmene Banu also follows what is happening step by step. As the days pass, Ferhat’s hope increases. When Mehmene Banu sees Ferhat getting closer to the water every day, she falls into pessimism and thinks of a solution. She wishes Ferhat not to be able to bring water and not be able to accomplish this difficult task. Before long, Mehmene Banu has a cunning idea. She orders a witch to be found and the witch is found.
She asks the witch to cast a spell to stop Ferhat. The witch, on the other hand, found a different solution instead of using magic. She roasts halva in a cauldron and puts the halva in a bowl and heads towards the mountain where Ferhat is digging. When he sees Ferhat, he calls out to him: “Sirin is dead, look, I brought you some halvah (food served after funeral). What are you still hitting the rocks with greed?”
When Ferhat hears this, he goes crazy and throws the pick in his hand into the air and says, “If Şirin is dead, it is forbidden for me to live.” The pickaxe, which fell from the air to the ground, hits Ferhat on the head and Ferhat dies on the spot. Hearing the news, Şirin immediately comes to the rocks and she throws herself from the rocks. The city has reached water, but neither Ferhat nor Şirin is alive anymore.
Osho’s Definitions of Love
Love yourself… Love each other, but do not create bonds out of love. Love should be a gift, but not with a price…
As soon as love turns into commitment, it becomes a relationship. Love is like a prison the moment it makes demands. It takes away your freedom; You cannot fly in the sky, you are caged.
Love has to be of a liberating quality, not to chain you; it needs to put wings on you and make you fly as high as possible.
The love you know is just a biological impulse; It’s because of your chemistry with your hormones. It can change easily – a small change in chemistry will suffice to destroy that love that you thought was “the supreme truth”. You call passion “love”.
Love only knows how to give and never expect response; Love is unconditional sharing.
You can never disappoint true love, because there is no expectation at the beginning. And you can never satisfy unreal love, because it expects so much that anything done is too little.
Love is the greatest experience of life, and those who live without experiencing it with the energy of love will never know what life is. They stay on the surface of life without going too deep.
When there is love, the lover and the loved one get lost in love together. If you have freedom and love, you don’t need anything else.
That’s why life was given to you for.
After so many Love stories, it’s finally time for affirmations. By the way, have you thought about what love is?
80 Affirmations of Love
- The child in me is discovering love today.
- I am surrounded by love and all is well.
- My heart is always open to love and I radiate love.
- I love myself and everyone.
- I find love everywhere I go. Life is joyful and beautiful.
- I scatter love and it comes back to me multiplied.
- An endless energy of love is constantly swirling around me.
- I have so much love to give.
- I attract love effortlessly.
- I am grateful for the love around me.
- There is always love in my life.
- I love with compassion and understanding.
- I live with my positive energy and loving attitude.
- My world is full of love, light and happiness.
- I deserve to be loved.
- I attract love because I am myself.
- I have people around me who love and support me.
- People are filled with love flowing through my being and they appreciate me.
- I generously share my love. I accept the love of others gratefully.
- Love becomes the truth of my life.
- I love honestly and unconditionally.
- I create love with enthusiasm in my life.
- I live life and love every day.
- Wherever I go, miracles and love surround me.
- I live a loving life.
- Love is all around me right now.
- I am a positive and loving person.
- I am deeply in love.
- I am kind and respectful.
- I feel loved and safe.
- I love who I am, and I naturally attract positive relationships in my life.
- I am grateful for my unique and wonderful family.
- I love happily ever after.
- I love and accept myself and am a magnet for loving friends.
- When I love and accept myself, it is easy to love others.
- I am surrounded by love.
- I am worthy of love and I receive a lot of love in my soul.
- I am a loving person and I am always loved.
- Pure love is always flowing through me to me and my surroundings.
- My heart is open to good and pure love.
- My heart is full of love and I radiate love.
- I see love and respect everywhere.
- I am worthy of love.
- My heart is fully open to love.
- Love surrounds me every day, in every way.
- I allow love to flow through me.
- I allow myself to love myself completely.
- I am grateful for the perfect, loving love.
- I focus on love.
- I am happy to be in love.
- I open my arms and accept love.
- I love and forgive.
- I love to love and be loved.
- I am open, free and loving.
- Loving people find me easily.
- I incorporate love into my life easily and regularly.
- I enjoy giving and receiving love.
- I love what I am.
- I like the way I behave.
- I love and accept everyone.
- Today, I choose to speak with love to all.
- I am a very compassionate and peaceful person.
- I always and completely love myself.
- I love myself for treating others well.
- I love myself because I treat myself well.
- Every day, I allow my self-love to grow.
- Feeling loved makes me happy.
- I love so much.
- I love humanity.
- I love myself unconditionally.
- Today I choose to love more.
- I love who I am.
- I AM PURE LOVE.
- I love every aspect of my life.
- I love every aspect of my being.
- I accept love from others.
- I trust my own strength and open the door of love.
- It feels great to love and be loved.
- I deserve to be treated well because I am worthy of being loved.
- I’M IN LOVE WITH LOVE.
I think LOVE is a flower, a tree, a look, a smile. It is old, young, woman, man, child, baby. Love is both rain and mud 🙂 Love is both the rising sun and the shining moon. Love is a word, a breath, sometimes forgetting, sometimes carry around. Sometimes it’s hope, sometimes it’s despair.
Love is both life and death. Love is eternity.
With Love…
