Mother Teresa once said…
We can do no great things, only small things with great love.
There are four greek translations for love; Eros, Storge, Philia, and Agape (1). The English translation of love comes from the greek love Eros(1). Eros is the translation of love that means passionate, or intense desire(2). Today’s media uses Eros love to captivate its target audience(1). Most of the time targeting us to a product without thinking of the negative effects the product could have on us(1). For example… if cigarettes used the media to targeted teenagers even though teenagers are not fully developed enough to make a conscience decision about there health (ages 13-17). They might use Eros love by playing a commercial of a beautiful girl and a gorgeous guy smoking together. Then the phrase “smokin hot” might be created. And teenagers might feel more prone to smoke because of their sexual desire.
Storge love is the love between family(1). But what I want to focus on is Philia love and Agape love. Philia love is brotherly, or the love shown between fellow men (1). Many say that when you show an act of kindness you are showing Philia love (1). But what’s tragic about Philia love is that it often has selfish intentions (1). Like if you help a stranger carry their groceries only so you can get their parking spot. Or helping clean out your neighbor’s garage only so you don’t have to look at there old clunker of a car. Or helping someone out only because it makes you feel good and not to show kindness.
What I want to concenter on is Agape love. This love is “unconditional love for others in spite of their flaws and weaknesses (1).” It is a “brotherly love for all humanity(2).” For example, mowing your neighbor’s lawn just to be kind. Or helping that little old lady that lives down the street cross the road even though she doesn’t particularly like you.
So why am I giving you a greek lesson? I want you to see how different our Western ideology is from the greek versions of love. Because if you know what love is in ALL its forms you can consciously decide which form you want to live out. And I don’t want you to feel discouraged if you feel like your one spark wasn’t big enough to ignite a fire. Because we can do no great things, only small things with great love (Mother Teresa)!
1. http://www.greeceindex.com/various/greek_love_words.html
2.http://www.iep.utm.edu/love/
