“I just want to find love.” This was my problem, a sorrow I pain-stakingly had to bear. I didn’t know what love felt like, at least I thought I didn’t; I resented love. I would see people out in public who weren’t afraid to show their vulnerable hearts to others with the power to harm, all in the name of someone with whom they share love and memories with. I envied these people, I thought to myself, if I had someone to love like they did, I wouldn’t show it in front of others, because I believed that keeping it to myself would be beautiful in its own way. 

Perception changes, a shift that can only be done by the eye of the beholder. I never thought I would put love out there for others, knowing how hard it would be to receive it. I have redefined love, but my perception has only shifted, for he who jests at scars has never felt a wound. In polarity, I haven’t felt the wound of a broken heart, but I have felt love, and not only the love we pursue. I found myself pursuing love; in the chase, I was blinded to all the love I was surrounded by. In my eyes, love was only in the form of a romantic interest, and despite this being one of the many forms of love, I was wrong. Love isn’t something that only someone you’re attracted to can make you feel; love is everywhere, you just have to be brave enough to let your heart feel it, for you can feel the most when you are the most vulnerable. 

Even when you feel unloved, love exists. It’s there when the small business owner is making you your food, it’s there when your sibling spends their last dollar on something you want. It’s there in the arguments with your parents, whose only reason for arguing is out of their love for you, so you can do better. Love is in a hug, love is your friends waiting for you to pick up your stuff so you can both leave class, and love is in every touch of the ball while playing a sport. Love is everywhere, you just have to allow yourself to be open enough to feel it. People who are too scared to show their hearts to something will never be able to feel love from it. It’s easy to get your heart broken, everything will make you hurt, but some things are worth suffering for.