Lust, Desire, and Love
(Back from an extended birthday celebration and a trip to Mustang Island.)
One sign of wisdom is knowing the difference between the following:
- Lust
- Desire
- Love
Lust is an animalistic urge to sex someone up — over the course of several hours, over the course of repeated visits. Lust is a primal drive, residing at the beast level. Lust is overwhelming, yet temporary. It is a raw hunger that consumes thoughts and motivations. Possessiveness is related to Lust. You want to physically possess her.
Desire often becomes confused with Love. “I can’t live without you,” “I need you,” “I’m worthless without you” … these are statements of Desire. The focus is on you and on how the one desired makes you feel. You become fixated on how she makes you crazy. Jealousy is related to Desire. You can’t stand the fact that the woman you desire might desire someone else and rob you of the rush you have experienced with her.
Love requires that you place the interests of the loved one ahead of yours. Your feelings are secondary. Love is selfless. Here’s a test: if the woman you love leaves you and finds happiness with someone else, it’ll make you happy. There is no resentment. You just want her to be happy, safe, and appreciated. Possessiveness and/or Jealousy? No. That’s why the poets over the ages have spoken of the elusiveness and rarity of Love.
Lust is common: everyone alive experiences it or has experienced it. Desire is common. Love is scarce. Love is The Grail.
