Longing and Loving

Both words start with lo. Synonyms for longing are yearning, pining, craving, ache, burning, hunger, thirst, hankering; while synonyms for loving include affectionate, fond, devoted, adoring, doting, solicitous, demonstrative. We're wired to do both. 

But could it be that one of the ways to increase a sense of well-being is to emphasize loving? Not that any of us can ignore longing, not that it will disappear. After all hunger and pain are life-sustaining feedback mechanisms. Just that longing won’t always get first billing like it did on this post.


If it’s true that one of the keys to happiness is loving the here and now rather than pining for the past or thirsting for the future, maybe I’ll try putting a little more emphasis on loving. Or at least seek to fully sense and appreciate the nuances of today’s Fall weather rather than craving the heat of summer or the brisk adventure of winter slopes.