Love 2.0

01Your body physically reacts when you're in love, it's not just a feeling

In Barbara L. Fredrickson's exploration of love, she presents a unique perspective. She suggests that our bodies have their own interpretation of love, a concept that might seem a bit out there at first. But let's break it down to make it easier to grasp. Fredrickson points out that when we feel a lack of love or connection in our lives, we often turn to activities that distract us for a while. We might binge-watch a TV series, lose ourselves in a video game, or chat about the latest gossip. But these are just temporary fixes, like putting a band-aid on a deep wound. They can't truly satisfy our deep-rooted desire for love. According to Fredrickson, this desire is a powerful force that keeps popping up until we address it properly. When we start to fill this love-shaped hole in our lives, we begin to change. We become more open, more aware of the world around us, better at dealing with life's ups and downs, and more resilient. We also start to feel healthier, happier, and even a bit wiser. This is how our bodies respond to love, a side of love that we often ignore, focusing instead on the emotional side. Fredrickson believes that seeing love only as emotional connections and commitments is too narrow a view. Love isn't just about romantic relationships or family ties. It's not just about having a special bond with someone. It's a complicated mix of emotions, expectations, and insecurities. But when we start to think about love from our body's point of view, we see a different picture. This change in perspective can lead us down a new path, one that promises a better, more satisfying life. Understanding love from this angle allows us to truly appreciate its importance and make it a priority in our lives. To make this point clearer, think about the famous lyrics from Louis Armstrong's song "What a Wonderful World". When he sings, "I see friends shaking hands, saying, 'How do you do?' They're really saying, 'I love you'", he's talking about the physical expression of love. The simple act of shaking hands is a physical sign of love, a connection that goes beyond words. This is a great example of the body's interpretation of love, as suggested by Fredrickson. In a nutshell, Fredrickson's exploration of love encourages us to expand our understanding of love, to think about not just the emotional but also the physical aspects. By doing this, we can better satisfy our deep desire for love and lead a more satisfying life.