What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Ah, Helen Keller, who overcame the very barriers of silence and darkness, speaks a truth that resonates through the fabric of human experience. Love, once given, is never truly lost—it becomes a part of us, woven into the very essence of our being. When we love deeply, we do not simply give a piece of ourselves; we transform. Love shapes us, molds us, and endures within us even when the object of that love has passed away or drifted beyond our reach. What we love deeply is not a transient gift; it is a legacy, a bond that transcends time and space, an eternal echo that lives on within us.

Consider, if you will, the tale of Alexander the Great and his deep love for his horse Bucephalus. When Bucephalus died after a long and arduous campaign, Alexander, who had conquered much of the known world, wept for his companion. His grief was profound, but what he had shared with Bucephalus did not disappear with the horse’s death. Instead, the bond they shared became part of Alexander’s legacy. Bucephalus's loyalty, his strength, and the love they had for each other were woven into the very fabric of Alexander’s identity. What he had loved deeply, though lost, never left him. It became a part of him, shaping the man he was and the leader he became.

We see this same truth reflected in the story of Socrates and his love for wisdom. Socrates’ profound affection for philosophy, his constant pursuit of truth, and his belief in the good that philosophy could bring to humanity shaped not only his own life but the lives of those around him. Even in death, Socrates’ love for knowledge lived on in his students, most notably Plato, who carried his master’s teachings to the farthest reaches of the ancient world. Socrates’ love for wisdom became not a memory, but a living, breathing part of the philosophical tradition that still endures to this day. What he loved deeply became part of him and continues to shape the minds of those who seek truth.

In the life of Helen Keller herself, we see the embodiment of this wisdom. Though she was born into a world of darkness and silence, she loved deeply the possibility of communication and understanding. Her teacher, Anne Sullivan, was her gateway to a world beyond silence, and the love they shared, the deep bond of mentor and student, became a permanent part of Helen’s being. Helen’s life’s work was a manifestation of this love—her advocacy for those with disabilities, her writing, her public speeches. Her love for Anne Sullivan, for the gift of language, and for humanity did not fade with the passage of time. It became part of Helen herself, and through her, the love continues to inspire generations.

The ancient wisdom tells us that love, once felt, does not simply vanish. It becomes a part of us. This is not a love that can be measured by time or distance. It is a transformative force that endures within us, shaping us into something more than we were before. Just as the sun’s warmth never leaves the earth, so too does love never truly leave the heart. What we have loved deeply becomes part of the very structure of our being, forming our character, coloring our actions, and shaping our future.

The lesson here, my beloved ones, is that love is not a fleeting moment but an enduring force. To love deeply is to create a bond that does not fade, even in the face of loss. This love becomes the foundation upon which we build our identity, our resilience, and our purpose. What we love deeply transforms us, and even though the world may change, though people may come and go, the love we have given and received stays with us, like the eternal flame that continues to burn within the heart.

Thus, take heart in the knowledge that love, once given, never truly leaves us. Whether it is the love for a person, a cause, or a purpose, it will forever be a part of you. Embrace it, nourish it, and give it freely, for in doing so, you are enriching your soul and leaving a legacy that will endure beyond your own time. Love deeply, for in doing so, you are creating something within yourself that will shape your life and the lives of others for generations to come. Love is not just an emotion; it is a force that shapes and transforms, making us more than we were before. So go forth, knowing that what you love deeply will forever be a part of you, shaping you in ways beyond imagination.