When I first heard Elton John sing “You Gotta Love Someone” I remembered an incident of TMM (Temporary Moment of Maturity). I’d been worrying about whether someone I cared for deeply reciprocated my feelings. Then I realized that what really mattered the most, what would last forever with me, was that I’d let myself love her. Regardless of how our relationship evolved (and it didn’t), I had that almost physical sense of my heart expanding. I knew this was a gift that would always be part of me, and that it came from letting myself feel what I felt. T
That was the “maturity” feeling–like the prayer of St Francis, “grant that I may not so much seek…to be loved as to love.” That feels realistic, reliable, something I can count on.
Those TMMs come and go, but this one did make a big impact. So that’s why you gotta love someone–it expands your own heart.