To be able to perceive beauty. In another person, in a flower, in a landscape.. and not feel compelled to possess it - that I think, may be what real love is about.

We human beings are driven by lust and desire, rather than love often. If I see a beautiful woman, I have to possess her. If I see a beautiful landscape, I have to own it. If I see a beautiful flower, I have to pick it.

Lust is rather destructive. It ruins the thing you found beautiful in the first place. And when we no longer find the beauty in it, we leave it.

We discard the flower. We divorce the woman. We move to another landscape.

We keep chasing beauty, only to ruin it by imposing ourselves upon it.

Consider the effects tourism has, upon what was once pristine beautiful landscape.

Possession is a real thing, and we do it all the time.

If I possess you, you are an extension of me rather than being yourself and you become unfree. I have stolen your freedom and your natural beauty by imposing myself on you. I have ruined that which I loved.

I think too few people in this world realise what love is. I think that must change.

Can we learn to appreciate beauty, without possessing it? Can we learn to have a truly loving relationship with another person, and the world?

If so there is hope for us yet.