Ah. . . Love is in the air! So crisp and clean you can almost taste it! Legend and folklore tells us that springtime is the season when a young man's (young woman's) fancy turns to love. In reality, love knows no season. Falling is love is, perhaps, the most mysterious and most elusive of personal experiences. Some of us fall in and out of love over and over again in life. Others, just once. A few sad souls, never. The amazing fact about finding love is that, in reality, love finds you. Say what you will, love comes in its own good time; you can't rush it, force it, or create it when it isn't there.
Even though you can't dictate the moment when love will arrive, there are definite and clear signs of someone falling in love. Cupid's arrow strikes with impunity and whether or not Valentine's Day is near has nothing to do with it. The signs of love-sickness are obvious to everyone with even the slightest bit of a discerning eye.
First of all, to the casual observer, the smitten person will exhibit behavior changes. If the person falling in love has reason to believe that the object of his or her affection returns the feeling, the behavior change is usually very positive. Easily observable behaviors such as much improved moods, singing (often under the breath), going out of the way to be of service to others to share the good fortune bestowed by life and time spent day-dreaming and jotting notes and messages on small pieces of paper are often witnessed by the casual observer of the enamored person.
If, on the other hand, the object of affection is out of reach or uninterested, the behavior changes will be anything but positive. Alas, poor Cupid is not always an equal opportunity messenger. Mood swings, ranting and raving and a general dissatisfaction about the unfairness of life will be evident in the unrequited lover. The only thing worse than having no love is to suffer from unrequited love.
But, what if it's you that has been targeted by Cupid's arrow? What are the signs of someone falling in love when that someone is oneself? Those are the most delightful signs of all. Love brings to its possessor a new hope for the future, a chance to believe that the best and most hoped for of life's gifts are within reach. Love lifts the heart and lightens the step of the enraptured.
Finding love gives purpose and direction to the person falling in love. Suddenly there is a reason to plan for the future, to make major life altering decisions and to take responsibility for the actions taken.