Valentine’s Day often has the reputation of being about romantic love. There’s a push to buy flowers, give chocolates, do something “romantic”, and “show your love”. All of the hype though, is not what Valentine’s Day is about. It’s not about the flowers or chocolate or the “wow” factor. It’s not about showing off your boyfriend or girlfriend, or proving you’re loved or bragging that you have the most thoughtful partner in the world. All of that pressure is not what love or this holiday is about.
Valentine’s Day is about remembering. It’s about taking a moment to think about the people who mean the world to you. Pausing to notice the love surrounding you is one of the gifts of this day. Slow down this day and take an inventory of the role of love in your life. The love of a parent, the support of your friends, the kindness of your partner and heart-gripping love of children are deserving of your remembrance and appreciation.
This holiday, tune into how you show love to those you hold closest to you. Do you tell them and act lovingly when you’re with them? Can they feel your love and kindness or is it something in your head only? Similarly, how do they show their love towards you and how do you receive it? This day is an excellent opportunity to give and receive love mindfully and deliberately. Take the time to be deliberate.
Challenge: Don’t get caught up in the hype this day. If you’re not in an intimate relationship—so what? Pay attention to the love you have and the love you give rather than getting caught up in the love you don’t. Love is all around us—from parents to children, to friends to even strangers. Allow it in. Celebrate it.
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