Those are good definitions!
Yes, how do we change? Through love like you said. The power of love trumps all negativity... at least that's what I believe.
I certainly agree that each one of us has a shadow side as no one is all good or all evil. I think is when we finally accept and honor this fact, we can then focus on our growth as a soul. For a long time, I didn't understand this concept, and it costed me a lot of heart aches as I judged others and myself very harshly.
By the way, I like your digressing! There is nothing off topic here, because it's about life!