what is the ULTIMATE REWARD of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE?

Question

which is sometimes UNRECIPROCATED......
:-(

Answer 1

SUMMARY--PRE-ANSWER
1. The reward for the CHILD is survival.
2. The "reward" for an adult, who loves unconditionally is self-imposed neurotic pain and victimization.

EXPLANATIONS:
"There is only one kind of unconditional love, a CHILD for its mother."*

And this is based on the (even pre-verbal) knowledge of the child and the fear that the child cannot survive without his/her mother. It is about SURVIVAL.

Unconditional love for or from an ADULT is wrong, simply wrong; an adult must be WORTHY; must EARN love.

Anyone who "unconditionally" loves a grown person is merely an ENABLER. There are, of necessity, CONDITIONS on mature love; it helps people to behave decently, fairly and kindly, and it keeps the lover from becoming a doormat, a martyr and a victim.

(In mature love, it is important that each partner earns the respect of the other; earns. There is nothing unconditional in that, nor should there be.)

Answer 2

Unconditional love that is unreciprocated is basically a sacrifice. Like with most sacrifices you do it knowing the consequences, but knowing you gave to someone or something can be it's own reward. I know the sacrifices I've made in life left me with a feeling of content. I gained more than anything materialistic and/or physical could have given me and the peace of knowing I did something wonderful.

It might not make sense to anyone else, that's just how I feel.

Answer 3

I think its ultimate reward can be most closely described as "emotional surety". Not sure if "emotional surety" even does justice to the sheer magnitude associated with being unconditionally loved...the "reward" is more of a feeling and I don't think it can be completely nor accurately defined in words, but it is definitely not a tangible reward. In my mind, more powerful than anything else imaginable though. It breathes life....

Sometimes the *prospect* of unconditional love isn't reciprocated, so its' manifestation is halted before it is realized....but, most often, I think, this occurs only when one person in the union can't meet half-way, is skeptical or has fearful feelings within the self that push what can be truly wonderful....away. Sometimes, doubt, fear, inner turmoil, and/or previous experiences cripples the bringing to fruition of what we actually really want and need.

Answer 4

Sweetie, that's a question that can only be answered by the circumstances in each individual act/movement. The most pure form of unconditional love that is often unreciprocated is that of a Mother for her child. At the times of the child's life when they are small and totally dependent, they love you and your touch. As they grow, and become more independant, they decide they don't want Mother in their lives. Does that mean that Mother doesn't still love that child unconditionally? NO!! I know what I'm talking about. Nothing can change her love and feelings for the child she gave life.

Answer 5

The ultimate reward of unconditional Love, would be being together.

Answer 6

The ultimate REWARD of unconditional love is,,, get ready for this... the GIFT of loving another.
Sure, it may be unreciprocated and sometimes even when it is returned-to-sender, it can still be alittle one-sided... but having the ability to BURN for another is, in itself, the payoff of love, the YEARNING is all of the pleasure. One can get closer to euphoria own their own than they can with a partner anyhow...

Answer 7

I recall an answer I saw here to another question--not an exact quote: "The bird doesn't think about how high it can fly, flying is enough."
Since CONDITIONAL is subject to things likely to come about, suggesting an honoured agreement or approval, then UNCONDITIONAL is the antithesis. There wouldn't be a single thought to "reward," not even in oneself, as loving unconditionally is the truth of the "heart." It simply IS & that's all there is to it. (Reciprocated or not--ergo--unconditional.)
I've found this most frequently in animal companions who love you for you are, & I suspect--since they are so guileless in their candid simplicity--don't reflect on what pleasure this brings to them. (& no, these beautiful creatures don't show love simply for food as many who have never bonded with them often opine.) I'm unable to even see a connection between reward & unconditional love.

Edit: I made the assumption that you meant reward to the person GIVING the unconditional love, not the one receiving it.

Answer 8

I agree with Carol...The Ultimate Reward of Unconditional Love... is in the Knowing.... Knowing that No Matter what.... That Love will always be there..through the Good Times and The Bad...through Thick or Thin....The Ultimate Reward is in the Knowing!!

=)

Answer 9

The ability to live without jealousy,fear,envy or strife, To welcome challenge in the event of finding one true love. Knowing you exist for that one true love. Building character, self contentment,acceptance of reward and knowing failure at times. Growing as an individual as well as developing inner strength from having to endure a love you know to be real.
In truth everything else is superfluous and must be cast aside eventually. Patience. So even though these are difficult lessons to learn they create personal strength no money can buy.

Answer 10

There is no such thing as unconditional love. Everyone seeks to be validated in one form or another and I don't see what is wrong with that.

You can feel lust for someone that may not be reciprocated but love is something else- if it exists it's reward should be it itself.