What comes to mind when the word 'love' pops up? Does it make you think of romance, or does it invoke a feeling of affection for someone close to you? Truthfully, I don't have the right answers for this one because 'love' symbolizes different things for everyone.

Love, believed to be a universal feeling felt by people around the world, can do so much. According to a definition from the dictionary, its literal definition is "the attraction, desire, or affection felt for a person who arouses delight or admiration or elicits tenderness, sympathetic interest, or benevolence." That is one of the best ways to describe that emotion. I, on the other hand, view the word 'love' differently. I think its definition should be "the feelings invoked by your significant other who can deeply affect you in several ways."

Love has been used to describe the feelings invoked by another person. It's the feeling you get for someone you really care about, and it's also the word that shouldn't be used lightly. When you love that significant other, they become a part of your world. Someone told me once that a person can tell if it's love by the butterflies fluttering in their stomach. Love is a word that seriously entails many responsibilities. Once it has been felt or spoken aloud, people need to understand what that word means to them. That's a serious word to be spoken aloud, and whoever says that word should mean it when they tell it to someone else. That word alone can make a person feel so happy, like they have a million bucks on them. Otherwise that word can make a person feel so depressed that they would want to commit suicide. Love- it entails many, many responsibilities.

That four-letter word can make all the difference either way you use it- be it positive or negative. The 'romantic love' deals with feelings of euphoria or anguish, especially from a teenager's perspective. 'Love' can be a controversial subject that can get discussed on end. The standard for love varies internationally. Teenagers can go through different stages of love. There's 'puppy love,' a form that is not as intense as 'true love.' Its symptoms are similar to 'true love' - intense fondness of that other person, feeling happy all the time, especially when in the company of that person, and your heart just pounds when you see them. 'True love's' symptoms are the same as the above mentioned, but with more intensity. Love seems so complicated that sometimes people expect too much out of it. All I have to say, especially for teens, is that when love happens, it'll happen. Don't look for it; it will find you. Trust me, you'll find it in the least likely places.

Derek and I started off as best friends, but as time passed, we became more than 'just friends.' I felt this chemistry with him even though he had a girlfriend at the time. After they broke up three times, I felt that I should risk it. We dated, ended up in a serious relationship, and I fell in love with him. It's all changed now because we broke up since then. This unexpected relationship blossomed beautifully in the beginning, but at the end it wilted faster than rotten vegetables.

Personally, I never believed in love before. I thought it was just some superficial emotion. I'm going to contradict myself: When it came to loving that significant other, I just didn't believe in it, yet when I met that person, I fell heads over heel for him. Boy, was I wrong! It can happen at the worst time, and when I fell in love, it hit me hard. I'm still reeling from it, and now that my love left me, I'm questioning whether it was love at all. Maybe it was love, but in the 'high school sweetheart' way, which is similar to 'puppy love.' Love does entail many things. The outcome can be satisfying, or it can be bittersweet. As a teenager, I've experienced both.

Vinthi Thach, Age: 17, Virtual High School, USA, Lowell High School, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, April 13, 2002

Love? What is love? How will I know it if I've never felt it? Is it possible to love someone if you don't know him or her? Does anyone know the answers to my questions? Leo Tolstoy wrote that, "Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone."

I firmly believe that there's one person out there with whom love will be the most special. I'll love before him. I might even love after him. The time in the middle, the time I spend with him, will be the best. I won't mind getting up in the morning because I will be able to see and hear him. I won't mind going to bed at night because I will still be able to see him in my dreams. He will be the person I think about first thing in the morning and last at night. He will be the one who will make my bad days good and my good days excellent. He will be the one who I can't stay mad at. He will be the one who makes me feel more alive than ever before. He will be the one.

I don't mind getting up in the morning. I absolutely cannot wait to go to sleep at night, wishing for a nice dream. The alarm rings, and well, I am glad to be awake. I have the most delightful daydreams. My day is so much nicer when we talk. The other day I was mad, but today my anger has faded.

I firmly believe that love is when there are no adjectives to describe your emotions. There are no superlatives that can describe that feeling inside of you. There are no words I can speak. There are no words I can write. I don't need words. One look from him, and you'll know about love. He'll look at me, and he'll understand too. There will be no need to waste time justifying your love with meaningless phrases and cliché expressions of love. True love transcends the societal boundaries and standards.

True love will not fade with time. True love will not disappear with death. True love is everlasting. True love is better than any other kind of love. Yet, not everyone finds true love. What about lesser love? There are loves that can be special even when they are not true. Love that is combined with incredible lust or passion can be incredible, while ephemeral. Love that is a mutual understanding of needs and respect can be important and nice as well. These varying degrees of love are what make defining love so difficult to do. What about love lost? What about broken hearts? What happens if I stop loving, or worse, if he stops loving? I do not have the answers for the questions I ask. I do not have the secrets for mending a broken heart. I will cry. I will curse. I will sleep. And then, the next day, I'll do it all again. I will sleep. I will curse. I will cry. And then someday, the hurt, the ache, it will fade. Slowly, but surely it will fade. There is nothing that time cannot heal. You'll always remember. I might always have regrets. I might even always love. The pain will disappear. When it does, then you'll love again.

I attempt to describe love. I know what I feel right now is not true love. What I feel right now is a cross between needing and passionate love. I met this boy. He talked to me first. I am almost sure that he fell for me first. It didn't take me too long to fall for him. I know it's not true love because I don't see him often. And while we both feel something, we haven't often surpassed the distance that separates us. Maybe we're just too young. Maybe love is about timing as well. If I met him five years from now, maybe we'd be able to have true love. Yet, I doubt it. True love is destiny. If I were meant to truly love this boy, he wouldn't live two hours away. We are only seventeen. If I were truly meant to love this boy, we wouldn't be silent today. If he were truly in love with me, then we'd move beyond just faking it. If it were true love, we'd have something real.

Can I really know what love is? I have questioned it. For months I totally denied it. But in the end, I can't help it. I can't deny it. He is the first thing I think about in the morning. He is whom I dream about. He is the one who makes my day interesting. He is the one who makes love songs seem incredible and not sappy. He makes me feel too good to describe. He's the voice I miss when I go away. He is the person who when we fight or ignore each other or disagree, I can't seem to stay upset. I can never stop thinking about him. He is the one who makes me day unbearable. He is the one who makes me cry. He is the one who can pick up the pieces of my insecurities. He is the one who can smash them apart. It's love? I don't know if it is.

Love makes life even better than I can imagine. When someone says, "I love you," I have to smile. I, personally, bite my lip, and I look up at him. I just can't quite believe it. It seems truly too perfect. If my attempt at teenage, immature, angst filled love is so incredible it leaves me speechless, what will true love be like? Unimaginable. Still my meager words do not express what love is. Perhaps I have not yet lived enough. Perhaps my lack of experience is directly responsible for my lack description. I hope that this is the case. It means that with time I will fully be able to convey the magic of love. Yet somehow I still believe that love cannot be defined, it can only be.

Erika Staaf, Age: 17, Virtual High School, USA, Westwood High School, Westwood, Massachusetts, USA, April 9, 2002

My parents are protestant and I grew up like a protestant girl. But I have realized that I do not believe in that God. Perhaps it is not the God, it is the church. It interprets the Bible and it has got strange rules.

We shall love each other. But who does that? Who is not egoistic and does't only think of himself? Can't we be lovely to others without the Bible? I can be very egoistic. Of course I help others. On the one hand I really like to help them and on the other hand it would be be very pleasant if they help me, too.

I think religions are strange. They all say that they are the only religion. So I decided that I have got my own God. I see the real life and not only this fantasy life with pure love. The dark and bad things are around us, too. There is a devil and - who knows? - perhaps he is not so bad as everybody makes him. Perhaps God is the bad one! ;-) That's it!

Greetings Sandra

Hello Ashley!!!

You asked me in what I do believe. Well, I can`t say that religion is important to me and, as you know, I don`t believe in God. In my opinion the most important thing in life is to think positive and to have fun.Otherwise you aren`t happy. Please write back!

Bye, Wiebke!!!

Hey Sandra!

I totally agree with what you were saying about religion. I believe in God, and I am a practicing Catholic, but I think the Church interprets the Bible the way they think we should when in all actuallity they should leave it up to the people to interpret it. My parents don't agree with me... so I was glad to hear SOMEONE does! =)

Love, Katelyn

We are Tanja and Doreen and we read a letter to the editor in last newsweek about religion which we thought might interest you. Here it is:

What do you think about that opinion?

Isn`t there a truth in it if you think about all of the religious-wars of our time like the conflict in Afghanistan or between Israel and the Palestinians? OK! We hope you write back soon! We wait for your answers!

Tanja and Doreen

One Day...

It's sad to see how many people condemn religion and faith. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it isn't right to criticize about another person's beliefs. I think that everyone should just stick with what they believe in, and leave other people's choices alone. I am a Catholic who believes that God created the world, and that he makes things happen for a reason. For instance, September eleventh was a horrible tragedy, but it helped Americans to treasure every day of their lives, and to be kinder to others. America became more patriotic than ever. Every day looked like the forth of July with all the flags waving on houses and cars. Even political parties were nice to each other for a while. To me, God made this happen, but I respect anyone who begs to differ with me.

Unfortunately the events of 9/11 were based upon religious differences, and it could have been prevented if people respected other religions. I hope that one day, there will be no such thing as religious prejudice.

Edith Carson, Age: 17, Virtual High School, USA, Pope John XXIII High School, Everett, Massachusetts, USA, April 18, 2002

This topic is very important to me. Yesterday I had a discussion with some friends about God. My opinion was (or is) that God exists. I believe in God. My friends donīt believe in him and donīt believe in the bible. I must say that I don`t believe in the bible either, but I think that was somebody(years ago) who wrote the bible to teach the people. I think that we donīt have to understand every word of the bible . I think that there are pictures and symbols which make us think about it and take some advice from it. I believe that there is somewhere (even when it sounds funny) a God in heaven. I donīt really know why I think so, but Iīve got a feeling that there must be something. Perhaps God is a synonym for examle for people who died. These people are in one way God and watch us. I think that my aunt watches me and takes care of me. I know that many people do not agree with my opinion or religios beliefs. I donīt go to church or pray every day. I think that it doesnīt matter if you go to church and think about God and believe in him or if you are somewhere and pray to him. The church is to me just a building and not a proof of my religion. I can believe in God without a church.

My friends asked me why I believe in someone who doesnīt really exists. My answer is that some people think that they can live their lives better with the support of believing in someone. Perhaps they can manage their ways of life better with the thought and the belief in God. They know that they can never be alone, because God is always there for them. For example I am scared of death. So I believe that I will not be alone when Iīm dying because God is always on my side. And I think that many people think so. But I heard once God searches for the people who have no religious beliefs. And I agree with it. Everybody has a second chance, and I think that God tries to support everybody. He loves everybody and trusts in everybody. But then there was a big question:"God is good! īBut why does he permit wars? Why doesnīt he help?" - I think that God will only help when the human beings canīt help themselves any more. And the wars could be ended.

Then we talked about Adam and Eve. My friends think that God is terrible, because he produced human beings with the knowledge that they are bad and that they make mistakes. They think that God canīt make mistakes or he isnīt allowed to make any mistakes. But I think that God makes mistakes, too. I donīt believe that God is better then we.He knows that everybody can make something wrong and forgive them. So I believe that God is just a human being, too. To me he is a part of my aunt and a part of my belief in him. You can say that he is a kind of guardian angel. I know that many people are of my opinion and that many people arenīt. I accept it! I just want to tell my thoughts of religion and God.

And there is something we talked about, too. The question " Do you believe in destiny?" (this question leads us to all). I have to say that sometimes I believe in destiny, because thre must be something that doesnīt allow us to do something that makes something happen. One of my friends believes that the whole life is planned and that everything in a life is pre-determinded. I donīt agree with it! I think that we can live our lives with our own thoughts, feelings and actions, there are just some barriers to stay in onnīs "circle of life".

But then there is the question "Who is destiny?". Of corse, Iīm religious, but I donīt think that God is destiny. I believe that the "pieces" in the universe (the molecules) have something to do with the feelings and actions of the human beings, because I heard that the moon influences the birthrate. And so I can believe that the molecules influence us. Then we talked about death. What happens after death? Are our mind and soul still alive? We came to no answers. But we all are a little bit scared about death.

Sarah, Jever

Culture is a difficult topic to address if you're a teenager. A large part of being a teenager is either coming to grips with the culture and ideas that you have grown up with, or rejecting them and seeking your own way to nirvana.

American culture makes this especially difficult for kids. A big part of American culture is freedom- freedom to be what you want, to go where you want, to believe what you want, to say what you want. The problem that we have as teens is that we are bombarded with conflicting messages. Be your own person, but fit in. Be different and original, but not too weird. Be smart, but not a nerd. Have fun, but take responsibility for your future. Have your own opinions, but don't offend other people if you choose to express them. Have your own faith, but believe in God. In high school kids are still struggling with the urge to go with the pack, to wear what's cool, to keep up on the latest celebrity gossip, and to explore. Even as our culture is encouraging exploration into the unknown, it is also telling us not to go too far. I believe that the freedom that the American culture allows its citizens is good and necessary- but I also think that the messages we have based our country on in the Constitution have been overshadowed by modern day commercialism and materialism. Everyone is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, our culture tends to dictate which ways of achieving those are acceptable and which aren't.

The media mostly defines culture in the modern age. The fashion magazines, current TV shows, and newspapers, not to mention the latest movies, all keep us updated on what's new and hot and popular. Media reflects a culture's ideals. The super thin models we see on billboards and commercials send us a message, whether we are conscious of it or not. Most stores for teens carry the same types of clothes, and for many, brand name is essential to the coolness element. Kids without the right clothes or the right look can be ostracized. Girls starve themselves to achieve the anorexic look that is so popular, and kids pierce themselves up the wazoo and try the newest drugs at raves. Teenagers are exploring all of the elements of the culture as they try to assimilate themselves into it.

Teenagers must face some difficult questions when we start to search for ourselves. Do we keep the values and embrace the ideals we have grown up with- that the media and our parents and our teachers have dictated to us- or do we seek to find a different way of living now that we are becoming adults and have been granted the right to choose? I do not believe that culture holds more importance than being true to yourself and your personal values which may or may not coincide with those of the popular culture. Many cultures encourage destructive ways of living or customs, such as cultures that force girls to marry men 40 years older than they are at the age of 12, or cultures that burn people knowledgeable about healing because of fear of witches. In our patriarchal world most cultures contain customs that are extremely harmful and degrading to women. The Chinese bind feet, and that practice leaves girls crippled by the time they are in their twenties, for the sake of beauty. Middle Eastern countries practice female genital mutilation, and some African tribes shut up girls in cages when they begin to menstruate. These customs are often based on cultural ideals or religious beliefs, and considered unique to the people. While they may be a part of cultural identity, they are destructive to the people who practice them, and they promote harmful ways of living. If we are to strive toward becoming better people, we cannot, in good faith, perpetuate customs such as these simply because our ancestors did so. I think that what is most important is preserving positive traditions, such as art and music and such that is unique to a particular area, but to seek to change the negative aspects that affect the everyday way of life. If you dislike the materialism of your culture, then you should try to change that and promote something like anticonsumerism rather than sitting back and saying, "Well, it's part of my culture so it must be good and holy." If your culture tells you that you must follow in the footsteps of your father and become a shoemaker when you have a great talent for something else, then you should break free and pursue what your heart tells you to because even though you are only one person defying the culture, more people may follow in your footsteps and thus make what you did normal and create social change, altering the negative aspect of the culture.

Faith is also a very important part of any culture. All cultures harbor some sort of religious belief, and what they have faith in often determines the sort of life they live. Druids lived in the woods and had harvest festivals. The Puritans lived in huts and read the Bible all the time. Faith often determines national identity. In America freedom of religion means that our national identity is multifaceted. Despite the freedom granted to everyone, Christianity is still the predominant American faith, as is apparent in our language, what we are taught in school, and the literature and art and political views. Our pledge of allegiance recognizes the power of God. Our current President has created a national office that is associated with the Christian church. In today's world, most people seek to have faith in something because they need to cling to something. Even though destruction may be spreading itself all around us, and war and poverty are rampant, faith can provide hope that we can change our world, even if it is only faith in people or in yourself, and not faith in a higher power that is taking care of everything. I believe that faith is important because without it, a person can be easily led to despair. Humans are silly creatures, trying to create permanence in a constantly changing world. As this inevitably turns out to be a futile task, humans have created the concept of faith which helps us to believe that somewhere out there, there is something we can count on to see us through to the end in safety. As teenagers we are encouraged to find something to believe in, so that we can incorporate ourselves into accepted social groups within the society.

Often parents heavily influence their child's choice of religion. I know many, many kids my age who are very religious because they've been that way all their lives and really couldn't imagine being any other way. Many kids are taught from a young age that "This is right, and this is wrong, and don't listen to the people trying to convince you that wrong is right. They're evil and ignorant. Pray for them, my children." They don't really form their own opinions; they swallow the opinions of their parents. I look at kids I know who are strictly Mormon or strictly Catholic and wonder, if their parents had been Jewish, would they be just as strictly Jewish? Probably. I always hear people complaining that our generation has no faith, and that our morals are depleting the culture as a result. Adults always seem to fear that their kids won't believe in God, and as a result will go out and murder and steal and prostitute themselves up and down the block. I think that's a rather silly idea myself. What a lot of people don't realize is that you don't have to have religion to be a decent person and have morals. Just because I don't go to church, doesn't mean I'm depraved. Many parents feel that their way is the right way, and they want their children brought up to be good people who believe the right things.

Coming to terms with the culture is a major part of becoming an adult. Teenagers must struggle to find their own identity and faith amid a vast sea of contradictory ideas. As we struggle through this process, we must evaluate the standards that we are expected to strive for and attain and decided whether or not they are relevant to our everyday lives. Although the media presents us with ideas of how we should be through pop culture, it is up to us to choose whether or not we agree with their ideals. It is up to us to embrace or reject our cultures, and it is up to us to change them. We must continually endeavor to make our world a better place by struggling to eliminate harmful values and stereotypes from our lives.

Natalie Grant, Age: 17, Virtual High School, USA, McClintock High School, Tempe, Arizona, May 14, 2002

The reason for our being has crossed through my mind so many times on many different occasions. The idea that I get up every day and have the same routine leaves me in awe at the question of whether there is really a purpose to me being here. Is there really a reason as to why we are so lucky to have a life, to breathe, and be actual living creatures? In the movie 'American Beauty,' the boy in it was amazing at how he was so overwhelmed by all of the beauty in his life. When he videotapes a piece of paper fluttering around in the wind, he explains how it looks as though it is lost, and caught up in the moment of just being swept away. I think it is amazing that at one time or another people get lost in the moment, a moment where they are enveloped in nothing but that exact time. Personally I think those moments are the purest and most unforgettable of all; and yet I still find it so hard to notice all of the beauty when everything in the world around me seems to be falling apart. I believe that the sense of one's life varies from person to person. I have always believed in being one of those people who lives life day to day, not wishing that I could change things from the past. I look around and see these people surround their lives with the hunger for money and how successful they will or will not be, never mind with being happy. I believe that if I had honest and true love in my life, then I would be ready for almost any obstacle that life were to give me. This is life, and I'm ready to take it on with all my heart and soul. After all, we are only here for one round.

I think guidance and communication play a large role in knowing right from wrong, and definitely a major role in what type of person you may turn out to be. When you are young, all you have to learn from is your family, and when they take the time to show you a wonderful path of life and love, it is then your turn to take their wise advice and do with it as you wish. Treating a child with respect is extremely important. Without this it can make the child feel as though you own them. Parents have to remember that we, believe it or not, are people too. I have this amazing mother who I think of as nothing less than my best friend who has always talked to me and treated me with respect, but has also shown the line between friendship and being a daughter.

The aim of my life and what I am oriented toward seem to be one in the same, a quite unexplored territory. I love children and strongly believe that all innocence lies within them, and still writing is this wonderful escape. When a teacher once asked me what I like to write about, I found myself speechless (a true rarity) and deeply contemplating the question. I didn't want to be a reporter; it seems as though reporting would be nothing but facts with little room to express my own views. And while the idea of writing a 400- page novel seemed like quite the accomplishment, I do not believe that I, myself, could stay interested in something that long. While answering these questions, I find that this is what I like to do best; these questions that have meaning to me while at the same time giving me the freedom to express my own opinions, thoughts, and feelings.

Destiny is a topic that has been frequently discussed with my mother and me. Just the other day she was explaining to me that there is a difference between fate and destiny. Fate is a gift from a greater spirit, much like divine intervention. And destiny, which seems to be the most important part, is what you choose to do with that fate. So I guess the question would be if I believed in faith. I think I really do. Without faith, what else is there to really look forward to? With all of the madness that goes on around in our world today, it's nice to take a break from it all and think about life, just life. None of the madness that goes on, whether it be personal or not, seems to go on when you are by yourself writing, just writing.

Dana Arel, Age: 17, Virtual High School, USA, Harwich High School, Harwich, Massachusetts, USA, April 29, 2002