Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Testament to Love

I don't remember how old I was the first time I saw the image of the Taj Mahal. I could not tell you when I learned about its history and purpose. A mausoleum built by a grieving man for the love of his life who left this world.
It touched my heart deeply, from the first moment I saw it. It spoke a language of real and true love to that ever hopeful romantic in my heart. An object of devotion in memorial to a love that could not be measured or eclipsed in beauty, not even by this incredible monument to it.

This grand effort to express the strongest emotion of any human heart is considered sacred, is magnificent, and is still visited by multitudes of people every day. It is a wonder of our world. It is a wonder of humanity. It is a wonder of the heart.

Tokens of love come in countless forms... flowers, rings, art, music, structures, and on and on... and on, again. But all of them could never really capture that precious gift that cannot be bought or stolen or forced, that gift that can only be gotten by one when it is given sincerely and freely by another; the gift of love. We offer it without cost, when it is truly given.

Love transcends everything... time, people, places, even human form (think of love given from and within the animal kingdom).

There is no force more powerful or more tender in existence. It is the essence of life. It is boundless... and it is essential.
Give it at every chance, there is no greater gift that can be given.

Thanks to Angelfire for the breathtaking photograph.


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Theres an Indian restaurant in Leicester called the Taj Mahal...

molly said...

Love really does make the world go 'round. Or at least it makes life tolerable. Not necessarily romantic love, though that is very nice, but when we are kind and considerate and generous to one another, everyone feels better. Now if nations could do this we'd be all set!

J said...

What a beautiful post, and a moving testament to love. Thank you.

Laura Jane Williams said...

Just when I think I understand the power of love, something happens to move to goal posts I learn that I knew nothing and that love is bigger and stronger than I could ever imagined. What a special thing.

rel said...

Scarlett,
If one were to look for an example of how to show love, one would do well to observe you. In all the world, there is no greater gift than to accept the love of another.
rel

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Hi Mutley!

Well... that's a little bit of a commute. Tell me how it is, and if it's fantastic, then I will just have to go.


Molly!

I think you are absolutely right about everything you said. Nations are just large groups of people... it *is* possible... if we all agree and show it.


Jules,

Hugs to you, sweet lady. Thank you for your kind words.


Hey Girl,

It's easy to get wrapped up in little things, and then we see something incomprehensible that puts it into a whole different perspective.
Glad you liked this one.


Rel,

You made me get misty eyed again. What is this special knack you have for bringing heartfelt tears to my eyes?
You are most kind, sir. Thank you very much.


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Sameera Ansari said...

I have always been in awe of this monument too.I have been longing to visit it since ages.

I loved your beautiful lines about love.Yes indeed,Love transcends everything.Nothing on earth can equal the power of pure,simple,true love.

And I so agree with you.When we give,we should give whole-heartedly,expecting nothing in return.

Loved this post! :)

Anonymous said...

Minusta Taj Mahal on surullinen ja yritan olla sita ajattelematta, but of course it has beauty

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Sameera,

Thank you so much.
One day we will each see it, with our own eyes and hearts... and it will be incomparable.

Till then... we can dream.


Anonymous,

Yes... yes it does have so much beauty.
Thank you for visiting here.


Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

So often emotions are intangible, hard to describe, impossible to touch...but then we see the Taj Mahal and know that sometimes, once in a great while, a love can be so great that it manifests itself in a true, tangible testament to love.

Gorgeous post as well :)

Wanderlust Scarlett said...

Sognatrice!

Wow... very well put. I couldn't have put it better myself.
Thank you so much!


Scarlett & Viaggiatore