Love is? Week One

So I'm starting this blog based on my pretty consistent reading of 1Corinthians 13. I began reading it nightly (or trying too!) a few months ago as I've been searching for some comfort in life's gameboard. I figured the idea of love is comforting and should bring me peace and help with in what I need to deal with. Well, really what has happened is I have been presented a challenge...in my mind anyway.

I have become determined to set out to really investigate what each aspect of the passage concerning Love means. Sure patience, kindness etc. seems self explanatory and maybe you're thinking I've become hung up on the words. But, I think the words and what they truly mean are what I'm concerned about. It has peaked a curiousity in me that seems not to be satified with the re-reading of it every night. It is not becoming clearer but more complex and overwhelming.

O.K., here's my experiment: For 9 weeks I will take one of the "love" aspects and it will become my focus for the week. I will begin on Monday and end on Sunday each of the 9 weeks and document what happens. What do I expect to happen? I have no expectations really. My hope is that I will be a bit more clear on how to incorporate these geniune qualities into my own being and see what how that could possibly effect those I whom I live with, encounter, work with, and all in my circle of influence.

Why 9 weeks? A few reasons come into play:
One, there are 9 weeks left in the public school year in which I work.
Two, I have a wall-hanging bought years ago that lists the most quoted 9 aspects of the passage
Three, being a scattered individual, I figure I can do anything for 9 weeks.

I would also hope to have anyone share their ideas, thoughts on each week's focus as well. Again, I'm really very curious to what this means to me and other people. I can only imagine we would all be a bit lovelier to be around if we truly had these characteristics. Each person we meet might go away with a better feeling than they started and maybe feel a little more.........loved.

Doesn't mean I will suceed at this. I probably will encounter many parts of myself I'd rather not.
But here goes:

Week One: Love is PATIENT
Definition: > bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, delay, hardship, pain etc. with fortitude (mental and emotional strength) and calm without complaint, anger or the like
> characterized by expressing such a quality

Sounds a lot deeper and tougher than my form of being patient!

Also, since it's week one, definition of Love:
> a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person
> a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection
> affectionate concern for the well-being of others

We'll see...........