“Big realization today — it’s either all about love or the lack thereof it…” This was the written message, I read a few days ago, that inspired me to write.
What is Love?
Is love an energy that is created by us?
Does love exist in its own right?
Do animals feel love?
Can we love anyone?
Is love always associated with people, or is it a feeling that arises out of the experience?
Is love spiritual?
Does love exist in a professional context? For example, do nurses, doctors, and carers love their patients? Do therapists love their clients?
Do teachers and early years educators love the children in their care?
Can we love unconditionally?
Professional Love
Dr. Jools Page, Sheffield University, has recently coined the term “professional love” in early years settings (PLEYS). Defining love in professional relationships is an important topic, for those working in close, intimate contact with adults and children. It seems that some people have confusion over expressions of love and so I am curious to read the conclusions from this research, and I appreciate Dr. Jools for bringing “love” clearly into the educational arena. You can read more about Dr Jools work here
Speaking of Love and I think we need to…...
My experience is that many people feel shy or embarrassed, mostly, because they place love simply, in a romantic context. And yet, of course, it’s quite obvious that there are many forms of love — between friends, between parents and their children, between people and God and nature too.
It’s widely accepted that those who master the teachings of Love, receive its profound wisdom.
The Ancient Greeks philosophised about love and taught very well on the subject, they used 7 terms to describe the positive aspects and to highlight some of the deviations that can develop when loving behaviours have not been present.
Here is a brief summary of the 7 expressions used by the ancient Greeks to describe love
1. Storge – is love between parents and their children
2. Eros -is romantic and sensual love
3. Philia – is the love that exists between close friends, brotherhood and alliances
4. Ludus – is playful love
5. Philautia – relates to self-love
6. Agape – is about spiritual love
7. Pragma- is mature, steady, long-term committed love
How are these forms of love showing up in your life?
Is it true for you, that it’s all about love of the lack thereof ?
Do you know that science tells us that the love we receive during our earliest years literally shapes the brain?
Sue Gerhard author of Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain writes:” developing a strong sense of self is based on the quality of social attention the baby gets. The more pleasurable social experiences the baby has, the more this part of the brain connects up. The less attention a baby receives, the less this part of the brain connects up. In the worst cases, like some of the most damaged Romanian orphans, this area of the brain was virtually a black hole according to one researcher, Harry Chugani.
Basically, humans have to pass on a social brain. It does not develop automatically, but as the result of investing attention in the baby. Babies learn to notice their own feelings when they get lots of feedback about their feelings from the adults looking after them. Then, in turn, once they have that self-awareness, they can use it to become aware of other people’s feelings and to have empathy for others “- Some of you may like to read The First 1001 Critical Days
If you enjoyed reading this blog and would like to contemplate more on love, follow this link to my blog on the 7 definitions of love.
Thanks very much Tracy for a great article on my favourite subject ‘love’. There was a mention of self love but for me it is all about loving yourself unconditionally. From a ‘professional’ perspective I believe this is critical when working with children and young people, particularly those with labels, because they sense when a professional is not being congruent and as soon as they suspect that, you’ve lost them forever. Well that’s my thoughts what about everyone else?
Love LIFE!
Alan