Embracing Life Through Unrestricted Love
Love is not simply a feeling or a random display of affection—it is the foundation of our human essence and inner life. If we restrict or prohibit love, we deny ourselves the full experience of what makes us alive and endows us with profound inner strength. For example, one source states: "If the love between two young people leads to physical intimacy, it is condemned by the Church and its priests, who advise abstinence until marriage. This is practically impossible nowadays. For this reason, many young people distance themselves from the Church and spiritual advisors, feeling guilty, even though they know full well that their relationship is genuine love, not mere passion. The first commandment is love, so that a person may love God. The second commandment is love. When the Lord was asked which commandment is the greatest, he replied: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'." ( link txt)This statement clearly demonstrates that prohibitions and artificial restrictions lead to feelings of guilt and inner dissonance, whereas genuine love is not a punishable manifestation of the soul but a natural and inherent gift that enables us to experience life in all its fullness.The free expression of love also affects how we perceive our life’s trials. Love, as a source of inner joy, has the power to bring light even in moments of suffering, worry, and failure. As mentioned in another excerpt: "Whoever possesses such a source of inner life is happy. Whoever has such an inner 'shelter' is rich. Even if the fate of his love turns out to be 'unhappy' and his thirst for love remains unsatisfied, his happiness will still be alive, and his wealth genuine." ( link txt)When love is free, it allows us not only to enjoy life but also to build strong relationships with those around us by creating a space for mutual understanding and support. Conversely, the prohibition of love or the imposition of strict limitations establishes artificial boundaries that may deprive us of the opportunity to learn from the experience of true relationships, ultimately affecting our worldview and inner harmony.