Valentine's Day: a joy if you're blessed with a wonderful
relationship, an annoyance (or worse) if you're single and unhappy about it, or
in a "challenging" (aka miserable) relationship . . .
But what if - splendidly coupled, despairingly single, or
somewhere in between - you chose, this Valentine's Day to fall in love with
your LIFE! To expand the idea of a day devoted to the love in our lives beyond
that "special person," mate or significant other, and celebrate the love
throughout your life: the love of your friends, your pets, your family members,
your community, your living space, your occupation, your body, your very self.
All the love that permeates your life, if you just for a moment, stop to see it.
Valentine's Day is that moment. Notice, all through your
day, the love - the appreciation, the kindness, the caring - that your friends,
pets, family, co-workers, cashiers, barristas, all those we share this planet
with, extend to us in small and large ways. Smiles, a kind word, a helping hand
- these, and so much more, we receive throughout our days. More, if you offer
your love - your smile, your kindness, your help - to those you encounter as
you live the ordinary time of your life.
Personally, I make it a practice to say "thank you" when it’s
unexpected, for things that are too easily taken for granted. I travel a lot
for my work, and I've surprised more than one TSA officer by saying "Thank you
for keeping us safe," and cleaning personnel in public restrooms by saying "Thank you for keeping things clean for all of us." You should see the pleased
look roadway construction workers give me when I thank them! Or grocery store
managers when I ask for "the compliment department." I do my best to keep my awareness
high of the many ways in which people, from nears and dears to strangers, fill
my life with love.
You see, love isn't only romance and passion. Love is the
care with which you do whatever it is you do, the consideration and respect you
give to those you interact with. And it
is this love, freely and virtually unconsciously given by those I encounter
throughout my days, in so many unique and varied ways, that enriches and
inspires my life.
Valentine's Day! Yes, of course, celebrate the love with
that special someone, but take fullest advantage of this remarkable and
wondrous day to celebrate love! For it is truly all around you, every moment of
every day, well worth celebrating.
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