Carpe amorem.

While reading through past blog posts, I realized I've never fully explained the title of my blog, Carpe amorem. (Seize love.) Allow me to remedy that situation! Don't worry...this isn't another post about being single. My blog is actually catered to a more general type of love...

Recently I've been reading this terrific book called The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition by Gary Chapman. It focuses on how we all need love. (If you haven't read one of his books about love languages, check it out. It'll change how you look at the people around you.)

"Married or single, young or old, every human has the emotional need to feel loved. When this need is met, we move out to reach our potential for God and our potential for good in the world." (Chapman 12)

After reading this book, I began to ponder to myself: How do you show love to people? Do you make a conscious effort to love? Have you felt really lonely and wanted someone to take time to tell you how important you are? Do you feel appreciated? Do you make others feel appreciated? What do you love? Do you like it when others acknowledge what you love? Do you acknowledge what other people love?

I'm still asking myself all of these questions; I'm not preaching them to anyone. I'm far from reaching my potential as a "lover." I have a pretty awesome Teacher, though, and even when I feel like I'm flailing uncontrollably in this ridiculous maze called life, He puts someone or something in my path to remind me that I am loved.

I appreciate and love every one of you that are reading this. I want to love you to the best of my ability, and I want to learn how I can love you better. I want you to feel loved like I feel loved. I want the love that I have been so freely given to spill out onto you.

This blog is an extension of everything I love in life and the love that I feel from my amazing, beautiful friends and family: I'm so blessed.

Seize love, my friends. Give a hug, write a note, help someone clean, listen intently, set aside quality time...do whatever looks and feels like love to you...show some love.

I truly believe love can change the world...love and good communication, but that's a whole 'nother tangent... :-)

All you need is love. :-)

Love and peace,

Amelia

P.S. Here's a picture of something I love...I know, I'm a dork. :-)