For this Valentine’s Day celebration of love, some words from Thich Nhat Han on what makes true love:

True love is made of maitri (loving-kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (joy), and upeksha (equanimity and nondiscrimination). True love brings joy and peace, and relieves suffering. You don’t need another person to practice love. Practice love on yourself. When you succeed, loving another person becomes very natural. Your love will be like a lamp that shines; it will make many, many people happy. (Lion’s Roar, After the Honeymoon)