There are many expressions and demonstrations of love that can be seen throughout life. One of the best-known forms of love is fraternal love, a selfless feeling with very particular characteristics that is often related to the affection that exists between family members. However, its definition goes much further.
In this Psychology-Online article we will explain in detail what brotherly love is and how to demonstrate it. In addition, you will also find some examples so that you can learn to identify this deep and complex emotional state that has even appeared in biblical texts.
What is brotherly love
Brotherly love is a close bond between people characterized by being full of feelings such as affection, respect, solidarity, dedication and honesty. It is a type of love that generally occurs between siblings or other family members.
With this bond, the willingness to serve the fraternal members without expecting anything in return is revealed. Therefore, the importance of this type of love lies in the fact that it allows us to put into practice selfless actions to take care of each other.
On the other hand, although brotherly love is usually associated only with the members of a family unit, it also has to do with those people for whom we feel deep affection, as if they were part of our family. For example, to your closest friends or to members of a community.
How to show brotherly love
Without realizing it, we demonstrate brotherly love on many occasions during our daily lives. If you are a father or mother, each of the encounters, attentions and actions of love that you have towards your sons or daughters is a sample of this feeling. However, it is important to keep in mind that brotherly love needs to be cultivated.
Next, we will give you some tips on how to show brotherly love:
- Be hospitable: it is necessary that you offer your help and attention to others, even if they do not ask for it.
- Accept diversity: you must recognize that each person is different and has their own personality. Therefore, accept the diversity of those around you, since only then can a more just society be created.
- Show your gratitude: Gratitude is a powerful display of brotherly love. For this reason, get used to expressing your gratitude to others, even if they don’t thank you later.
- Compassion for those who suffer: Compassion and empathy are essential to demonstrate brotherly love.
- Be patient: true love is patient and . He endures everything because it is based on kindness and dedication.
- Listen without judging: We tend to give opinions or interrupt other people when they speak, so actively listening to others can be very difficult. It is essential to listen to others so that they can express their emotions and feelings.
Examples of brotherly love
For centuries, brotherly love has been referred to in practically all cultures. For example, for Christians and believers of monotheism this feeling represents the union and love that we should have for our neighbors. This is also expressed in the New Testament, specifically in John 13:34, 35, which relates how Jesus told his disciples: “love one another, just as I have loved you.”
In addition to this universal example, these are Other cases in which brotherly love is put into practice:
- The attention and affection that sons or daughters have towards their parents.
- Friends who support each other, listen to each other and accept each other just as they are.
- Couples who share tasks, duties and obligations with each other and who support each other as a great team.
- Organizations, institutions or religious organizations that are dedicated to caring for and helping other people in a selfless manner.
- The brothers, sisters, cousins who accompany each other in the different situations of life, whether good or bad and without expecting any type of retribution.
- A single mother who needs help and her family offers her the support she needs.
- Someone who offers to someone who is sick or going through some unpleasant circumstance.
In short, there are many examples of brotherly love that we can find in our daily lives, since even when we help a stranger on the street we are demonstrating selfless love.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Aizpuru, P.G. (Ed.). (2013). Love and history. The expression of affections in yesterday’s world. The College of Mexico AC.
- Balderston, D. (2011). D’Halmar: sacred brotherly love. Letter Workshop, 48, 21-28.