by Dolores Moore

Created on: June 22, 2009   Last Updated: June 24, 2009

There is a wonderful song by Garth Brooks, "If Tomorrow Never Comes" that expresses one of the greatest and best reasons as to why it is important to say "I love you." Because if you do not say it when you have the chance, you may have missed out on it forever. Regret is one of the saddest emotions to carry on living with, as are the words "If only..." Neglecting to express your love may be one of those regret-filled scenarios, but it need not be that way.

Everybody is busy, lives full of concerns and responsibilities, so that sometimes, the practicalities of just getting by and keeping things going take up all our time and energy. We let the opportunities go, when we could stop and think about telling those we care about how much we love them. Yet it only takes a little time to do this. The results are so rewarding for everyone concerned. The hard work, the efforts put into keeping things going, seem to get easier; those three little words "I love you" make it so. They show appreciation for everything, as well as love.

Often, we take each other for granted, believing that the other person knows we love them. After all, if we didn't, we would be elsewhere, doing something for somebody else. A busy mother may neglect to tell her adolescent or adult children how much she loves them. They know enough about each other to accept this as a given, don't they? A son may not remember to tell his elderly parents how much he loves them. We think our actions speak louder than words, so they MUST be aware of our love.

Put yourself in the place of someone waiting and hoping to hear those words more often, and you will know just why it is important to say "I love you." Think of the joy and pleasure it gives you to be told you are loved, no matter who, what or where you are in life.

We all need love to thrive and survive, to make our lives whole and more meaningful. We recognize this need in ourselves, so we can be certain it exists in others. Giving and receiving love is the most joyful aspect of being human, and to tell it loud and clear is a privilege we own.

If we want to keep our relationships strong, to deepen the love and to make the most of our lives, then surely, we can see why it is important to say "I love you." Then, we can live with more rewards and fewer regrets. Oh, and love knows no limits; the more you give, the more you get.

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