6 Beautiful Lessons About Love From Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks has written countless love stories, from The Notebook to A Walk To Remember. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic yourself or are more of a skeptic, here are a few beautiful lessons about love from his novels that you can incorporate into your real life:
“I finally understood what true love meant… Love meant that you care for another person’s happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be.”
When you love someone, their happiness matters as much as your own. You care about their emotions because they impact yours. You aren’t able to go through your day while they’re suffering. You feel the need to support them, to encourage them, to pick them up when they’re down. Real love means your emotions are connected. Your happiness is tied to theirs.
“So it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be really hard; we’re going to have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me… everyday.”
Real love isn’t always smooth sailing. There are going to be moments when your relationship is tested, when you go through struggles, when you get into arguments. Although some moments are going to be difficult, you won’t feel tempted to leave someone who genuinely makes you happy. You’ll want to put in the effort. You’ll be willing to go the extra mile for them.
“You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s actions, not words, that matter.”
Empty promises mean nothing. Someone can say all the right things, but if they don’t follow through, if they can’t keep their word, then they aren’t worth your energy. You need someone with integrity, someone who prides themselves on their honesty. Their actions should match their words. Otherwise, you’ll never be able to trust them.
“I mean, if the relationship can’t survive the long term, why on earth would it be worth my time and energy for the short term?”
If you’re interested in a serious relationship, then there’s no reason to waste your time with people who are uncomfortable with labels, who are stringing you along, who don’t want something permanent. Make sure they’re on the same page as you are. Otherwise, you’re only going to get hurt in the end.
“The greater the love, the greater the tragedy when it’s over.”
Heartbreak is never easy to overcome. Especially when you thought this person was going to be with you for the rest of your life. Even though the pain you’re going through is intense, remember that you only feel this horrible because the love once felt so monumental. Remember, even though you’re no longer with this person, the memories remain. The happiness you had together was real.
“You can’t live your life for other people. You’ve got to do what’s right for you, even if it hurts some people you love.”
Even though you don’t want to hurt anyone, especially someone you love, you need to be selfish sometimes. You need to do what is best for yourself. You need to treat yourself like a priority.