Musings About The Many Faces & Forms of Love!

Growing up, I was blessed with a cocoon of selfless love from my parents. Their unwavering care shielded me from the harsher truths of the world, allowing me to experience love in its purest, most unconditional form. Within this protective bubble, the world seemed kind, gentle, and full of possibilities.

Like many kids of my generation, I grew up watching films like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, dreaming of a pink-rose world of love and romance. The ideals of love seemed magical, where affection was grand and everlasting. But as I moved forward in my journey, life began to teach me lessons about the varied faces of love—lessons that shaped my understanding and, ultimately, my discernment.

In my early years of achievement, I was greeted with admiration and awe. Whether it was excelling in my studies or transforming from an “ugly duckling” to a confident “beautiful swan,” love and compliments seemed to follow me everywhere.

People would greet me with warm smiles, congratulatory words, and admiration. It felt natural to be the center of attention, the person whose presence lit up a room. As I progressed further under the tutelage of a great Mentor, I experienced another dimension of love, praise and admiration. The privileges enjoyed—free consultations, guidance, professional connections, and even monetary help—attracted a wide circle of friends, relatives, patients, and admirers.

It was intoxicating to feel loved, respected, and needed. But in hindsight, I see that much of this love was conditional.

As life took me through the journey of The “Dark Night of the Soul,” the faces that once surrounded me began to fade away, one by one. With dormancy of resources, influence, and privileges to offer, the conditional nature of love became painfully clear.

I began to see the patterns:

• A friend loves you if you have time and resources.
• A client loves you if you add value to their life.
• A relative loves you if you’re beneficial in some way.
• A sibling loves you if you willingly give up your rights and offer them your share of the inheritance.
• Sometimes even parents love you more if you align with their expectations.
• A spouse loves you as long as you fulfill their emotional or material needs.
• Children love you when their demands and tantrums are met.

It became clear that much of the love we encounter is quite transactional, tied to conditions and expectations.

For a long time, I took people at face value. Giving was my primary love language—sharing time, resources, and energy without reservation. But I lacked discernment. My giving nature was often exploited, not out of malice but because I didn’t know how to balance self-love with selflessness.

Today, I’m grateful for the lessons life has taught me. Now I invite lessons only through love , with grace and under ease ! 

While my capacity for love never diminished, I now approach relationships with discernment. I’ve learned to balance my giving nature with boundaries and to prioritize self-love without guilt.

As I reflect on the patterns of conditional love, one question keeps surfacing in my heart:

Why can’t we simply love any being without any reason or condition? Why can’t we accept a being , simply for who they are?

Imagine a world where:

• A friend loves you for the joy of your company, not your resources.
• A client respects you for your authenticity, not just your utility.
• A relative cherishes you for your presence, not your benefits.
• A spouse treasures you for your soul, not your services.
• Parents and children embrace each other without expectations or demands.

Unconditional love is rare, but it is the truest form of love. It is the love that sees beyond roles, responsibilities, or what someone can “offer.” It is love that simply is—unwavering, unshaken by circumstances, and pure in its intent.

The Choice is Ours

We live in a world where conditional love is the norm. But we have the power to choose differently. We can choose to:

• Love without expecting something in return.
• Accept people as they are, flaws and all.
• Be kind and giving, without attaching strings to our generosity.
• Be Watchful About Whom We Allow In Our Closest Energy Circle

The beauty of unconditional love is that it not only heals others but also liberates us. It frees us from the chains of expectations and allows us to experience the fullness of human connection.

As I move forward, I strive to embody this kind of love. It’s not always easy, and I still have moments of struggle. But the awareness of this truth keeps me grounded:

Love is not about what someone can give to you or do for you; It’s about the unfaltering trust between souls, It's about what one can share without expectations !

 Aspiring  to create my world where love transcends conditions — a world where love is not because of what someone has or does, but simply because they 'are'!

Forever - A Seeker of Truth !

Meraki Pegasus!

Dr Racchana D Fadia