As I walked to a class early this past Sunday morning - nearly frozen and eyes half open - I passed by this phrase spray painted on the side of an NYC building.
It stood out to me. Maybe it’s because it was the only graffiti on the entire wall. Maybe because it made me think of Queen Bey’s Drunk In Love. But whatever it was, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I went from thinking - what does it mean to be love drunk? To - what does it feel like to be love drunk? To - I want to be love drunk. All the time.
As a society - myself included - we’re constantly seeking some sort of high. It could be from a substance, a relationship, a great workout, a meal…a constant desire to feel. I don’t know about you, but my “normal” day - typically filled with work and other routine things - can become such a blur. Sometimes I get to the end of the day and realize that I didn’t really feel much at all…I just went through the motions. And I refuse to let life to pass me by like that.
I can’t help but think about the culture here in New York. Everyone can’t wait to be done with work so they can go to happy hour and pound back a few drinks to let loose, enjoy time with their friends, or maybe try to forget the stresses of the day. It’s a quick drunk, an easy drunk. But it’s also temporary. I wonder what it would it look like to have a high that never ended - one that gave joy and fulfillment…sans the hangover.
Maybe I’m an idealist and maybe I’m too much of a heart person in saying this, but I want every day to feel like I’m under the influence of love. Not just romantic love - love for people. Love for the simple things. Love for (and from) God, the world around me, and life in general.
Because of all of the substances and highs out there in the world, I can say with absolute certainty that love is the strongest drunk. The limitless drunk. The best drunk.
It may sound funny, but I feel like I get a high from my boyfriend. He makes me so happy. And the older I get, the more I’d prefer to be cuddled up in bed with him and our puppy than to be out on the town drinking (and paying for it the next morning). I think the hangover you mentioned definitely happens when you have your heart broken, though. We broke up for a few months, and I swear it was like going through withdrawal. For me, love is a drug. I might as well face it, I’m addicted…
So worth it.
I know what you mean! I get that “high” feeling from being around my family and friends, too. There’s nothing more fulfilling!
Ohh what a great idea- you are so right, it’s so easy to let the monatony of days pass us by, rather then taking time to feel and see the beauty in them. This week we’ve been focused on what you fill your heart with at church and I can’t help but think that if we fill our hearts with love, both for God and each other, which was the greatest commandment, then how would our interactions with the world change? I want to live that way too!
Great post, Gracie! I had never thought about this the way you did. Love the new perspective. I’m going to track my emotions and see if I go a day or two without “feeling.” If so, I’ll take action to fix it.
Thanks Kayla! Glad this resonated with you