Someone asked me to write about love in uncertain times like the present. Uncertain in what respect? Time is not uncertain, life is uncertain. The outcome of asking such questions is uncertain. Or maybe not. I realized it was a chance for self-examination. The answer is irrelevant unless applied individually against personal values.
Is love recession proof?
That depends on how you define love, what you love and the importance you place on economic stability. Are we required to downsize our love, restructure our affections and pull back on non-tangible, altruistic investments?
I'm not referring just to romantic love, but the love of life, people and the deep down desires of every person to make the world a better place. If love is giving, do we alter it based on sound financial principles? Sure - if love is largely based on finances. But, it's not. See, that's the thing about love - if your source is limitless you don't have to worry about hoarding it. You do have to make smart investments, increasing your capacity to love even if your financial sources dwindle.
I read in a magazine how women apparently make smart investments in men. They like to be selective in their choice but are generally disappointed when Mr. Right slowly turns out to be someone else - himself. Instead of getting rid of him, the smart ones learn to love him. Love hinges on you and your ability to choose, rather than external, changing forces.
Is love recession proof?
At the end of it all, I failed in trying to define love in terms of economics. We fall short of understanding the nuances of love by equating its essence with something defined, like economics. Love is a lot of things which we may not completely understand. The one thing it's not is indifference. Especially to such tough questions. It is useful to consider how economic downturns affect our capacity to love others. Do we pull back or press in all the more?
No matter what... it is with God. He is gracious and merciful. His way is through love, in which we all are. It is truly - A Love Supreme - - John Coltrane