“A bell is not a bell ‘til you ring it. A song is not a song ‘til you sing it. Love in your heart isn’t put there to stay. Love isn’t love ‘til you give it away.” – Oscar Hammerstein II
I was in 5th grade (back in the ’70s) when I first encountered this poem. A classmate of mine wrote this in my slum book. I didn’t know what it meant back then. I even thought that it didn’t make sense. Over the years, however, I found this very meaningful, very touching, and very enlightening.
“A bell is not a bell till you ring it.”
Indeed, a bell is only an inanimate object. A bell by itself is nothing but an odd shaped material. If left untouched, it is useless. It might be nice to look at, but it would seem like it has no particular purpose. But, once a bell is rung and make a sound, you would know that its use is to alert people who hear it. It is a medium of communication, like that of the church bell. When the church bell rings, it signifies that mass or service is about to begin. It invites people to attend the ceremony. For that bell to make a sound, however, someone has to hold it and take action over it by moving it back and forth.
“A song is not a song ‘til you sing it.”
A song, much like the bell, is only made up of letters, notes, and words that may not have any meaning to someone who reads it. But, a song, once sung, creates a beautiful, musical chant that soothes the entirety of ones being. The words in the song transcend the emotions conveyed by someone who sings it and by someone who hears it.
“The love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay. Love isn’t love ‘til you give it away.”
Love. The most enchanting word in the universe is nothing but a four-letter word if it is not given away. The word love means an intense feeling of deep affection. But, how would anyone know if there is a deep affection for someone if the person who loves does not show it? The love must be felt genuinely by another to be considered as love, and the way to do that is to display affection with action.
A man who loves a woman must act on it by showing appreciation, by complimenting her, and by encouraging her or supporting her with her endeavors. A mother who loves her child must show love by teaching the child generosity, by instruction and discipline, and by building his/her self-esteem. Conversely, a child who loves his mother or father must demonstrate love by obedience, loyalty, and care.
Love must be made known not just by uttering it but more so by exhibiting it. It is much like faith which the Bible says, “Faith without action is DEAD” (James 2:17). Therefore, love without action is MEANINGLESS, WORTHLESS, and INSIGNIFICANT.
This Valentine’s Day, let us not forget to demonstrate love. Valentine’s Day was “created” (https://myshadesofemerald.com/valentines-day/) as an excuse for us to celebrate our loved ones. It is that one special day that we can show them how much we appreciate them, how much we care and value them. Love MUST be displayed. Love MUST be felt; and must be given away every day of the year.
Indeed, the love in your heart was not put there to stay. Love is not love until you give it away!
Photo by Mandy von Stahl on Unsplash (Balloon Heart)
Photo by Luís Perdigão on Unsplash (Bell)
Photo by Dayne Topkin on Unsplash (Notes with Glasses)
Photo by Alex Brisbey on Unsplash(Man and woman Kissing)
