Love is a choice.

“Love is a conscious choice to commit (unto death) to honor and cherish the other person and to do what is best for their good (even if what is best is not you in his or her life). This love is not based on what the other person can do for you, but your choice of loving the other person unconditionally.”

                                      (http://prayr.tumblr.com/post/3679961021) 

As a part of life, making a choice is a tough responsibility. It will not only affect you but also the people around you. And it is harder if you are living in an era where a war can easily be declared and people can be killed anytime. That’s what Helen experienced when she met Paris; a man whom she believed was destined for her.

Suppose that I’m Helen whose face can launch a thousand of ships.  Will I go with Paris to Troy to pursue our love? Or will I be an obedient wife to man whom I don’t have affection for?

Let’s say that a goddess promised Paris the most beautiful woman in the world (which happened to be me). But I will not go with Paris to Troy because I’m a married woman. I must not look to anyone anymore and become a good wife. It also happens that I am the queen of the country. As a queen, I need to think of the welfare of my country. Our unethical love will only put my country and many others in a conflict. I will choose that kind of decision despite the fact we love each other. For I believe that love is not only measured by how long two persons were together, but sometimes it is by how long one can sacrifice to be away from her loved one because it is for his own good. The outcome may not be the best for me, but at least my mind will be at peace because I know that he is safe. I cannot bear to see him and other thousands of people suffer and die just because of me and of the sin we will commit. If I will go with him and see him die because of making a decision that I know wrong, I will just live a regretful life with a guilty conscience afterwards.

And maybe it’s Helen’s destiny to be with Menelaus after all. A quote says, “If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were.” At the end, Helen comes back and follows Menelaus obediently. 

(source: tumblr.com)

And as the story in the picture above illustrates, Menelaus' love for Helen made him accept Helen despite of all that happened.

Love is a choice (whether consciously or unconsciously). We can choose whom to love, when to love, and what will you do for love. But we must be sure that whatever we will choose is for the best and is not bound to become a regret.