Love and Help

In between cutting wires (which hurts my hands terribly), blog surfing and chatting on MSN, I was thinking of some questions that have been bugging me for some time: Why do people help each other? Must one associate helping others with ulterior motives? Why can't I help just for the sole purpose of helping, without getting anything back in return? Can't I just derive my satisfaction from just helping and seeing the other party resuming his normal life? Frustrating, in that most people will be on guard if you help them.

Another case will be about love, in a generic sense. Why do you love? Why do I love? Must there be a logic or reason behind love, just like rendering aid? Honestly, I do not know for years; until I read this part:

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John:10.

"We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." 1 John: 19-21

Notice that the word love is used as an action, not an emotion? Perhaps it can answer some doubts, because for years I have been struggling to answer that question. Hmm, touch on some personal issues today.

Went out with my mother to have a haircut and marketing. Noticed this aged woman in the hawker centre while taking my breakfast. She was so old, yet was given the burden of clearing the dishes after every patron had left. As she struggled to carry the cups from table to table, I was left wondering where have all her children gone to.

Is it true that idealism decreases as we age? In 10 years time, I still want to see everyone else alright and happy, though at times I ponder to myself whether it is just wishful thinking.

Shall continue cutting wires while searching for the elusive blog.