What exactly is "Love?" 

Many have tried to define it in simplistic, easy to understand terms. The Collin's New English Dictionary defines it thus: 

"Love vb 1. to have a great affection for a person or thing. 2. to have passionate desire for someone. 3. to like (to do something) very much. n 4. an intense emotion of affection towards a person or thing."

Can this emotion called "Love" really be so easily defined? While love can bring great joy, it can also cause sadness, it may bring feelings of pleasure yet can also be the source of incredible pain. Love can motivate one to do wonderful things, while on the darker side it can be the catalyst that compels one to stalk another. Love can raise the spirit to great heights, yet it can also sink one into the deepest depths of depression. For many "Love" is a double-edged sword.

I don't think "Love" can be fit into tidy little definitions. But we know what doesn't constitute "Love." Love isn't about controlling another, nor is it about being dependant. It is not love for a child that compels a parent to encourage their child to love one parent above the other. Love is not causing deliberate harm or pain to another under the guise of "love."  Love isn't using harsh or unkind words to cut. Love isn't about selfishness, greed, lies or thoughtlessness. 

One thing is definite, it is the ability to feel, receive, and give Love that makes us whole as human beings. One of the facts that sets psychopaths apart from the rest of us is their inability to feel empathy or love. They cannot give it, receive it or comprehend it, even at it's most basic level.  Without this emotion called "Love" we would become callous, cold, miserable, empty, lonely, cruel, uncaring and soulless. It is vitally necessary for maintaining a healthy and happy outlook on life, but it is even more important to love ourselves, for if you cannot love yourself, you cannot love another.

Finally, world peace will only be obtainable when Love replaces hatred, violence and intolerance the world over.