I copied this down long ago from an American Greetings card. It did not say who the author was.

"
Love is not something
we can search for and find -
except within ourselves.

Love is not something
that just happens -
it takes work and patience and effort.

We spend so much time
looking for the right person to love
or finding fault with those we already love,
when instead we should be perfecting
the love we give to others.

This is the only way
we can ever truly be satisfied
with anyone or anything -
for in loving, we find love itself.
"