"Je ne t'aime pas excepté parce que je t'aime"

This quote gets to the heart of the inexplicable nature of love. It's about the paradoxical, almost circular reasoning that sometimes comes with deep emotions. You love someone simply because you do, and it's hard to pin down any other reason. It's not about their looks, their achievements, or what they do for you—it's about an inherent connection that defies logical explanation.

This sentiment was penned by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who often wrote about intense, sometimes conflicting emotions. His work captures the essence of human experience in all its messy glory. In this case, he's zeroing in on the pure, unadulterated feeling of love that doesn’t need a reason to exist.

Think about a mother’s love for her child. There’s no logical explanation for the depth of her feelings. It’s not because the child is exceptionally talented or because they do chores around the house. She loves her child simply because she does. It’s an unconditional, powerful force that drives her actions, even when it’s challenging. This kind of love doesn't come with strings attached or reasons that can be listed on a piece of paper. It just is.

So how can you apply this wisdom? Start by recognizing that not everything in life needs a clear explanation or rationale. Love, especially, operates on its own set of rules. When you find yourself questioning why you care about someone, try to embrace the idea that some emotions are meant to be felt, not dissected.

Imagine you’re in a relationship, and you hit a rough patch. Maybe you’re arguing more often, or you’re not seeing eye to eye on big issues. It's easy to start questioning why you’re together in the first place. But if you can tap into that core feeling—the one that says you love them simply because you do—you might find the strength to work through the tough times. Remembering that your connection goes beyond surface-level reasons can help you navigate the complexities of life together.

Here’s a relatable scenario: Think about a time when you were drawn to a hobby or activity that didn't seem to make sense to anyone else. Maybe you fell in love with painting, even though you’re not particularly good at it. People might ask why you spend so much time on it when you could be doing something more “productive.” But for you, the act of painting brings joy, peace, and a sense of fulfillment. You love it just because you do, and that’s enough.

When you embrace this approach in relationships, you let go of the need to justify your feelings. You open yourself up to experiencing love in its truest form—raw, unfiltered, and beautifully irrational. So next time you find yourself struggling to explain why you care about someone, remember that sometimes the best reason is no reason at all. Just love them because you do.