Forever & Always.

There are so many words in the English language, but there are certain words that have meanings that are constantly changing. We throw around words and phrases like I love you, forever, always, can't, never, I don't love you. We say these things to our friends, our family, people we almost never see, and the meanings behind these change every time we say them. While walking out of the door on his way to work, a husband can say to his wife "I love you" just out of habit, and even if he does mean it, he is not thinking of what he is really saying. While ending a relationship, someone might blurt out "I never loved you" because they are so hurt, but do they realize the power that the word never has behind it? We say these things every day, but why?

Three words, eight letters.

"I love you" is what I say to most of my friends when I'm on the phone, IMing them, or even leaving them a message on FaceBook. I do love my friends, and without them I don't know where I would be today, but sometimes saying this, has just become a habit. Saying this can mean so many different things to each person, some say it just cause the other person said it first and so they feel obligated to say it back, or they said it first and mean it with all their heart, or even that they just want to let the person know that they are special to them in some way. Hearing these words would make anyone feel wanted, and worthy, but if they had known that the person's complete feelings were not behind this statement, would the words have as much meaning?

One word, seven letters.

Forever is such a long time. Can it be counted in seconds, minutes, hours or years? Would a singular person's entire lifetime be considered forever? I saw a play last weekend where one of the pieces had dealt with this word. "She said, he said, that this would last forever." These words resonated with me then, and I'm still thinking about them now. Forever is romantic, and something that everyone should want, but it isn't something we can plan for and make happen. But even if we were to get that "forever," how long is it considered? This word is thrown around just like any other word. "I'll love you forever," "It's been forever since I've seen you!" With all these different uses, how can we even measure what forever is, and does the length change the meaning behind it?

Four words, twelve letters, one punctuation mark (excluding the period).

"I don't love you." When we say this, do we really mean it with our entire selves? Sometimes we say this jokingly, other times, people will hear it not being said as a joke, or they will be the ones saying it in such a way. This could be used to make someone laugh, or break someone's heart; it could make someone cry for days and still feel pain years later. How can four words have such an incredibly different meaning when used two different ways? This is how much meanings can change, whether you realize it or not.

One word, five letters.

"Never say never." Kind of ironic. We aren't supposed to say this, but yet we do. "I could never like someone like that." Wow, do you realize how heavy a statement that is? Never is an eternity of nothing of whatever you have refused. We use this word not realizing that once you say never, there is no turning back, because it means a definite, and infinite no. Instead, we say things like "I'll never try that food" or "I'll never take that class." We ultimately make a joke out of this word.

With all these different uses of these words, and combination thereof, we lose all sense of their meanings, except in those brief instances where we realize the full meaning behind them- but usually only for that moment. We turn words with so much importance into words that lack meaning, and sometimes end up not even having any at all. Before you say one of these things to someone, I want you to take a moment and reflect on what you're about to say. Before you say "I love you" think about what you actually mean. Are you saying I like you a lot more than I like anyone else, or are you saying that they have you with all of your heart? Before you say never think of all the future opportunities that you will be giving up, since after all, never is an awfully long time. Take the time, listen to what you are saying, and maybe you will be able to find the true definitions that these words, phrases, sentences, have to yourself.

Taylor Swift - Forever & Always

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFWUJyWYVPc&feature=channel