Is Love really enough?

  Recently I heard Patty Smyth’s song, “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough” and it’s one of the most common problems in relationships around me. I hear people all the time are still together because they’re in love but for all the wrong reasons. It’s hard to let someone go because the feelings are so strong that it seems impossible to let go,  but in relationships  love is not the only component. I think it’s a huge reason why so many people get divorced because all the other components are unstable and uncertain. Before I get into any relationships I always ask myself do I have common interests, values and support beyond love with this person? Because if we do, I believe we have a greater likelihood of a long-term relationship and connectivity than if we have love alone.

  When I was young (small-young, not just younger-than-now), I remember encountering this same statement  “sometimes, love isn’t enough.” And being young, I thought this was a very stupid thing to say. After all, “love” was supposed to be a very important thing and I couldn’t see how it could fall short. This was that period in my life when I was reminded from time to time that I love my brother, even when I was pretty sure I didn’t because he  broke that really cool Lego part with the funky angle bit. And if love was stronger than Lego-rage, then how could it ever not be enough? The truth is If love was the only requirement for relationship survival, divorce rate would be near 0%. In fact, if only love was needed to sustain a long-term relationship, couples would never have arguments. Facing the truth, sometimes Love isn’t just enough.

Relationships are hard. They take work. In essence, you should not only love the person you're with, but also be willing to meet them halfway on sacrifices and compromises, and all of those other things that are needed for optimal relationship survival.

Does love conquer all?

I don’t know.

Does love heal?

I don’t know.

But I am certain that love helps, especially when you find the person who is the missing piece to your puzzle.