Just how much sacrifices can you take in the name of love?
Perhaps, the most famous story of giving up everything, even the throne, in the name of love is the love story of King Edward VIII of Britain and Wallis Simpson.
The king voluntarily abdicated the British throne in 1936 to be with his lover.
Wallis Simpson could not be accepted in the British establishment as a wife of a king because she was a non-aristocratic commoner and divorce.
It was considered scandalous at that time, and she was not considered an appropriate wife of the British monarch. The king was given two options: abdicate or abandon Mrs. Simpson.
He chose to abdicate.
Giving up the throne in the name of love
On the cold morning of December 11, 1936, the world woke up to hear the shocking news that the newly-ascended British king gave up the throne to be with his lover.
It was unprecedented in British history because non in its existence ever had a monarch voluntarily deserted his kingship and royal duty in the name of love. But it happened.
In his speech, the love-struck king declared:
"But you must believed me when I tell you that it is impossible for me to carry the burden and responsibilities and discharge my duty as king without the support of the woman I love".
To the outside world, it was the greatest act of self-sacrifice ever did by a man to choose love but to the royal family it was an ultimate betrayal.
King Edward VIII was forced to live outside Britain and was ostracized from the British royal court forever. He was succeeded by his younger brother, King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II, who created him Duke of Windsor.
Love is a self-sacrifice
King Edward VIII's action was considered an ultimate display of self-sacrifice in the name of love. But not all kings prepared to do it and still chose tradition and duty, one example was King George III.
He was forbidden to marry the love of his life because as a king he was supposed to marry a princess. So he chose Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Nonetheless, their union proved to be a happy one.
So, how much are you willing to give up in the name of love?
Indeed, one must give up something to take a part from another and make it a whole. One must take a highest form of self-sacrifice to conquer odds in love and relationship.
After all, we live only once, we live for the moment, we live to love and be loved, missing an opportunity to be with the person we truly love is a miss opportunity of a lifetime. So, they say.
Whatever life may bring, at least we live for the day and enjoy the moment. Nothing more important than spending each moment with someone we feel truly comfortable talking or sharing stories with.
But stories in life are not always the same. Circumstances are not always generous. When we tend to embrace the real state of romantic love, we will be confronted with so many roadblocks, may it be principles, priorities, or simply decisions. Others, well, religion and race.
It sometimes pulls us to different crossroads, torn between choosing to be with someone and our passion, goals and beliefs. And it happened to people most of the time.
Love from contrasting background
This story of love from star-crossed lovers or those who came from different social classes, bound by different religion and tradition is still prevalent today.
It's another sad affair that can make or break one's principles in life. Depends on the magnitude of emotions and balance of judgment, one will have to make a painful decision in life: either give up love or live a day to fight for it.
So, how much are you willing to sacrifice and suffer to choose love?
They say that the only love worth having is the one worth fighting for. Anything out of that spectrum is not just really love.
Love that endures
And those who are not willing to fight for it, are not really in-love. Like King Edward VIII, who gave up his fortune, privilege, family, riches, throne and glory, a sacrificing love is the one that endures, the one that rises above challenges and transcends obstacles.
According to an article in Elite Daily, "It does not matter whether we are talking about life goals or lovers, if you are not willing to fight for them, to go out your way and make an effort to hold on to them, then you just don't want them enough".
The most popular case is often on the contrasting belief. Like Edward and Wallis, a couple separated by different religious practices might also be confronted with the same difficult decision-making that requires a deep discernment process.
The issue of contrasting beliefs
The roots of other religious belief on prohibiting their flock from involving into an interfaith relationship might be from the book of Deuteronomy in the old testament:
Deuteronomy 7:3-4: "You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons, or your sons to their daughters, for they would turn away your sons from following me and serve with another god".
The Roman Catholic Church also observed the above verse but had been sanitized to be more realistic in human life. As church is not a structure but a flock, it evolved as centuries passed to suit with culture and practices.
After all, we are still in the world of the living bound to find balance between beliefs and culture. It must evolved because we are humans meant to interact with fellow humans. We are not some prototype of primitive people from ancient civilization.
We need to live for the day.
Unlike popular public opinion that Catholics are not prohibited to marry someone from other religious group, the truth is, Catholics are being prohibited through the decree of Tametsi issued by the Council of Trent in 1563.
However, succeeding Popes made some revision on the promulgation to make the church appear more human and responsive to the current times.
And the Vatican officials referred the verse in the book of Deuteronomy only as those heretics and Atheists (those who don't believe that God exists) whom Catholics should not marry.
As the church expanded in later centuries, the requirements to marry among Catholics became part of the Canon Law or the Church Law.
Catholics are currently permitted to marry someone from other religion provided they will seek permission from a bishop in their diocese, who will then begin the process of dispensation from disparity of cult (different worship) and determine later if the marriage can proceed.
Asking why the Pope is allowed to view in another context some practices in the scriptures? It is based on his role as supreme head of the universal church, successor of St. Peter and Vicar of Christ where he could not be deemed mistaken when giving a decree to the law of the church.
This role of Peter and his successors has scriptural basis in the book of Matthew 16:18-20: And I say this to you, you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it and I will give you the keys of heaven. Whatever you will bind in earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose in earth shall loose in heaven".
True love waits
Should things do not go well, remember that true love waits. And when it finally arrives, you will know why nothing works out in the past.
True love is ruled by unconditional feeling where you could feel very comfortable and at home. Something that's ready to take sacrifices.
There's some truth about the tale of Cinderella, it's love when the shoe fits perfectly. When everything is so right and comfortable.
After all, if we are not willing to sacrifice then it is not love at all.
So what are you willing to give up in the name of love? The answer rests on your view towards unconditional love. Happy Valentine's day!
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