Is it Love or Infatuation?

           How can we tell if someone is in love or simply infatuated? When are feelings said to be mutual? What is the difference between the two?

          Telling the difference between the two is not really easy. There were many misunderstandings between them. Sometimes you might feel a hundred volt of electricity within you when you see your special someone. You want to always to talk to him, to take walks, and to laugh with. What a great and exciting feeling, isn’t it? You might even say “I’ve found my real love! This is it! I’ll never let him go”. Then after few time and realization, you become disappointed that it did not even last.

          Infatuation is the false front of love. It takes time before someone could say that you are just infatuated. Emotions are unleashed when a young man is visually attracted to a young lady, but they do not constitute love.

          Following are some indicators if you are truly in love or just infatuated. Some of them were from my mother who said that she based it in her own experiences and observations.      

1. Love develops slowly.

Just like every living thing, love needs to be nurtured before it can be fully developed. Emotions felt a first sight can only be said as infatuation.

2. Love controls desire for physical contact, but infatuation explores it.

Yes, it is hard to control the feelings toward our love but we know our limitations. God’s plan for our lives includes limits. While in infatuation, a kiss could lead to more and more intimacy.

3. Love centers on one person only while in infatuation, it considers the others around him.

An example is a suitor who looks at a girl here and another there. This kind of man needs to know more about his emotions.

4. Love is selfless, while infatuation is selfish.

In love, both protect each other. In infatuation, one doesn’t care as long as he is contented with what he gets from the other.

5. Love motivates behavior, while infatuation does the opposite.

Love inspires, infatuation weakens and destroys. Someone may be unconcerned and irresponsible when it comes to infatuation.

6. Love survives separation, while infatuation easily dies when put to a test like distance.

In love, absence makes the heart grow fonder, while infatuation does not.

7. If it has to end, love does it slowly.

In love, every trace of your relationship is important and deep. Infatuation ends rapidly. It easily came, it easily goes, too.

Strange emotions are truly common in both love and infatuation. Differentiating between the two is tricky. In times like this, know yourself and be sure on what you feel. Don’t get easily fooled by those feelings because if you do, discouragement follows. Also, never forget to ask God’s guidance.

Do not worry, you will find your true love at the right time. :”)