So many of us long for love but lack the courage to take risks. Even though we are obsessed with the idea of love, the truth is that most of us live relatively decent, satisfying lives even if we often feel that love is lacking. In these relationships we share genuine affection and/or care. For most of us, this feels like enough because it is usually a lot more than we received in our families of origin. Undoubtedly, many of us are more comfortable with the notion that love can mean anything to anybody precisely because when we define with precision and clarity it brings us face to face with our lacks–with terrible alienation. The truth is, far too many people in our culture do not know what love is. And this not knowing feels like a terrible secret, a lack that we have to cover up.
bell hooks, All About Love: New Visions (via gothhabiba)
