As common as the phrase "I love" is in our

culture, love is not always an easy thing to

feel. Why? Because loving people requires setting

self aside momentarily and focusing our devotion, at- tention, and affection upon someone other than our- selves. Love is, above all things, unselfish. And most of us are more self-centered than we care to admit.

Still, it is relatively easy to feel love compared to how difficult it is for many people to express their love. We often find it easier to declare that we "love" a new broccoli recipe or a pair of shoes than to state openly that we love a certain person.

Why is it often difficult for us to express our love? Because love is rooted in giving, and giving is most fulfilling if that which one gives is received. The pos- sibility that someone might not receive what we de- sire to give makes us vulnerable. Vulnerability car- ries with it the possibility of rejection, and, in that, embarrassment and an emotional sting. Thus, the greatest, most exhilarating and uplifting emotion we can know also carries within it the potential for the greatest emotional pain. For many people, love goes unexpressed because love carries this risk. These