If you love someone set them free – Paulo Coelho

If you love someone set them free: Love and freedom are such powerful words. Love is sometimes burdened by expectation, control and greed. More often than not, we talk about love in the form of possession, commitment, dedication and unfortunately it sometimes also becomes about control. This quote makes us think about love and freedom together. It is about being able to express and be free with each other. And if love is true, isn’t it about the happiness of each other as opposed to controlling the happiness of one person for the sake of the other?

If you love someone, you must be prepared to set them free

Paulo Coelho

With this freedom comes unhindered love, beyond expectation to show its purity and beauty to us. But it’s never easy to see love like this and perhaps that’s why it tends to be one of the most difficult things because it gets intertwined with ego and control.

If you love someone set them free

Love invariably is associated with possession. It starts with us wanting to have someone or something. This gives us a lot of happiness and we want to hold on to it. It makes things very difficult when this love fades or they go away. Will your definition of love also change? Sure, it will hurt to set people free. We must also face the possibility that they might never come back.

If you love someone set them free paulo coelho quote
If you love someone you must be prepared to set them free – Paulo Coelho

But, we have to trust in the power of love itself. We must be prepared to set our love free and see its true strengfth. Sometimes, love returns in the same form. In other cases, it will evolve and come back to you. In either cases, unless we are prepared to set people free, we won’t be able to truly love them. Or else, what is the difference between love and slavery right?

Some of the key facets of – if you love someone you must be prepared to set them free are:

  • Letting Go: True love involves allowing the other person the freedom to choose their path.
  • Return as Proof: If they come back, it signifies a genuine connection and commitment.
  • Acceptance of Outcome: If they don’t return, it highlights that the relationship was not meant to be.
  • Emotional Growth: Encourages personal growth and self-discovery for both individuals.
  • Non-Possessive Love: Reinforces that love should not be about possession or control.

Set them free meaning

We often believe that love means to have someone by our side all the time. But love is to root for their happiness and great life. It is to be there for others because we love and care for them and want to see them happy. We might not get them or have them with us, but if we truly care, their happiness is what matters to us the most. It is an act of giving vs receiving. (13 Inspirational Love Quotes to reflect and define Love)

It feels like this extols the idea of sacrifice for love, but love is a charming energy that has its ripple effect. We might not always get it from the same place, but pure love is such a force of energy that it manages to bring it back to us in unexpected manners. While exploring ‘set them free meaning’ the following points will help showcase a perspective

  • Emotional Independence: Love involves allowing the other person to grow and thrive individually.
  • Trust and Respect: Demonstrates trust in the other’s choices and respect for their autonomy.
  • Acceptance of Change: Acknowledges that relationships may evolve, and people may change their paths.
  • Avoiding Possession: Emphasises that love is not about owning someone but appreciating them.
  • True Happiness: Prioritises the happiness and well-being of the loved one over personal desires

If you love someone set them free Quotes

The phrase “If you love something, set it free” is a proverbial expression that suggests a philosophy of detachment and freedom in relationships. It implies that true love and genuine affection should allow for the freedom and autonomy of the person or thing loved. Here are some beautiful quotes that inspire us in a similar theme

“If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, it’s yours; if not, it was never meant to be.” — Unknown

“The best way to show your love is to give them the freedom to be themselves.” — Unknown

“Love is not about possession; it’s about appreciation.” — Osho

“Letting go means to come to the realization that some people are a part of your history, but not a part of your destiny.” — Steve Maraboli

“True love is not about being inseparable; it’s about two people being true to each other, even when they’re separated.” — Unknown

Is it true if you let someone go they will come back?

Maybe! And maybe they don’t! Either way, the result will be good for both you and the other person. It hurts in the short term, but the big picture says – that if it is meant to be, people will come back. Sometimes, we all need a new perspective and freshness in our approach to considering people around us. But you have to trust love, and let it find its course.

Sure, there’s a question of what you’re comfortable with as well. We all have a few ground rules, some of which we are willing to flex for the people who are special. It is a personal choice to ask that question – is it true if you let someone go they will come back. Even if the answer is no – it doesn’t matter – it is a question of the strength of the love between the two of you. If it has a future and long-term enough, then it will come back. (no contact after a breakup)

If they return, they were always yours

It means to be supportive and understanding if we can. I agree – it is incredibly hard. But that’s what it means. If you want to set someone free -release them from your expectations and control. Let them be! They will come back to you if it is meant to be. This question reminds me of Kahlil Gibran’s quote:

If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they don’t, they never were

Kahlil Gibran

It is a beautiful sentiment to wait for someone to return. However, if we are talking about true love, it is about rooting for their happiness, even if at times it means that we don’t get them. I appreciate that it conflicts with the desire to be with someone we love. If however, that makes them unhappy, then what’s the point of forcing them with us right?

Can someone leave you if they love you?

Of course! The answer is a resounding yes. Leaving doesn’t necessarily have to be personal. This is a question of two different people. People can still love each other even without being next to each other. That’s not what this is about. That’s just living together at best.

Love can’t be just about expectations. If someone likes you, that doesn’t have to come with a huge list of terms and conditions. You ought to prove the unselfishness of this admiration and affection. If you can, then your relationship has a strong meaning. Otherwise, you’re constantly expecting something in return and trust me, disappointment will not be too far in this approach.

Respecting the individuality and independence

It emphasizes the importance of respecting the individuality and independence of others, even if it means letting go or allowing them to pursue their own path. By setting someone or something free, it is believed that love will flourish and thrive naturally, unburdened by possessiveness or control. This phrase encourages a mindset of selflessness and trust in love, acknowledging that true happiness comes from the freedom to choose and grow.

Love is pure! It is a wonderful feeling of intense emotion between people. It can’t be pressured, constrained and forced into submission. Restraints cannot hold it – instead, they carve a path for hatred. If it does, then we have to name it differently!

Love is freedom and fulfilment in the company of each other. Our emotional insecurities are ours to deal with. It is unfair to impose them on others and expect that they follow the same rules. Affection and admiration are beyond those rules of perfection. We are talking about something beyond these restraints and establishing a pure environment to give and share. If you’re able to do that, then you’re doing justice to Paulo Coelho!

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