“Every adult life could be said to be defined by two great love stories. The first—the story of our quest for sexual love. The second—the story of our quest for a love affair with the world.”

Simplified Meaning:

As we grow up, our lives often revolve around finding two kinds of love. First, we look for romantic or sexual love, which means finding a person to share our deepest feelings and build a special relationship with. This is like a couple falling in love, getting to know each other, and maybe deciding to live together or get married. The second kind of love is about our relationship with the world around us. This means finding what we are passionate about, such as hobbies, our work, or causes we care about. It's about feeling connected and excited about the life we lead and the world we live in. Imagine someone who loves playing music and makes it their career; they feel fulfilled and happy because they are doing what they love. Together, these two love stories—romantic love and love for what we do and experience—shape who we are as adults. They give our lives meaning and direction. To be really happy, it's important to pursue both types of love: nurturing our relationships with partners and also finding joy and purpose in the wider world.