About a year ago one of my favorite college professors passed away. Dr. Elizabeth Mooney was a remarkable person and an amazing inspiration to many. She was a clinical Sexologist and she is the one that suggested I go into social work. She and I were randomly chatting some years ago and I was telling her about wanting to go into the study of human sexuality as well. She told me that I should start with a Master's in Social Work so that I could have a job while I was earning my doctorate in Human Sexuality. That is basically what I am going to be doing. I have my MSW and my LSW. After advancing my License to the LCSW I will look into programs for Sex Therapy and Sex Education. But that is not the lesson the title is referring to.
One day in her class I remember Dr Mooney asking, "what is love?" This question shocked many of us because it was not something we had anticipated discussing. Students started talking about that feeling you get when you see someone you are attracted to. Dr Mooney stated that was not the right answer. Eventually, she told us that love is a choice. This left the students confused. Everything told us love was a feeling. Even down to Disney films. What did she mean that love is a choice?
It had taken some time but I think I get it. There are so many signals swirling around us that we can't really tell what is what anymore. There is intrigue, infatuation, and lust. Those are chemistry and biology. That is all. What makes love more meaning full is that it is an active choice to be with someone. They don't have to be the person of your dreams. They don't need to be rich, famous, attractive, or whatever. They just have to choose you in return.
I am not sure why these thought can up today. Maybe I just needed to remember her.
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