Love is in the Air
Love is all around us, especially today on Valentine's Day. But what does Valentine's Day mean to you? Does it only mean, romantic love, or can it include other kinds of love? Is this the only day of the year that we should focus on love for others?
For me, Valentine's Day has naturally focused on romantic love... the love for my partners. Things like romance, sharing and the bond between us, were always in the mix of thoughts and activities on this day.
But Valentine's Day didn't only focus on romantic love in my life. It also included the love for my mother, father, my family and even my friends. It was a day to show a little extra love and attention to all of the people in my life that I loved, in whatever form that love existed.
As each Valentine's Day approaches, so does the frenzy surrounding the holiday- whether in the media or retail stores. We're flooded with countless Valentine's Day emails from retailers. There's a huge push on this one day to show your love for others- to run out and buy cards and gifts and make reservations for fancy restaurants and spend lots of money!!! There's so much pressure on people to do this and do that, because we're "supposed to". It's Valentine's Day of course!
Over time, but pretty early on, I did break away from all that pressure. Instead, I chose to show love every day of the year and not only on Valentine's Day. So I show my loved ones that I love them all year long, through random acts of love and kindness- not only on February 14th.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely do celebrate Valentine's Day because it's always nice to celebrate a special holiday and do something a little more special. It's fun to celebrate on this day just as it's fun to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, or a birthday. The list of holidays goes on and on, and if it brings fun, food, libations and festivities to our lives, more power to us.
Whether you go out to eat or stay home, buy gifts or not, or just spend quality time with your loved ones, it's all good. Even random acts of kindness are great to do on this day and every other day of the year. I feel great inside when I make someone else smile or feel good.
It's really all about love and sharing the love with your partners, family, friends and strangers. Remember, it's not only on Valentine's Day where you can share the love.