Happy Valentines Day all. It is funny that I’m feeling compelled to write this post because I have to acknowledge, it seems like such a sham to me in many ways, all about selling things and consumerism. Cards and wasteful plastic things, crappy candy and over priced, crowded restaurants filled with expectations, that sort of thing. Why just on this day? my rebel brain pronounces. And then there’s the part about people who don’t have “someone” in their life feeling undeniably bad on this day. It’s so in your face and although I was never one to feel sad or disappointed on this day, regardless of my partnership status, I know a lot of people do. It seems pretty obnoxious.
Having said all that, however, I’m thinking if we broaden our scope and do a little redefining, we have ourselves a holiday (holy-day!) that celebrates love itself, the very thing we all have in some capacity in our lives; the thing that is so precious because it makes life worth living. Not just romantic love, but the love of friendship, of community, of children, of family, the love of animals and well the love of our fellow species, who are all here on this earth trying to do the best we can in the chaotic and uncertain landscape of life. Love comes in many different forms but really it’s all the same and it’s a beautiful thing. So, reframing it in this way, I find myself actually appreciating it and saying why not? Sure, let’s have a day focused on LOVE. Let’s revel in it and honor it, let’s talk about it and share about it-oh yeah and let’s MAKE it…Everyday, yes!…and as a reminder and in celebration, today. Let’s raise our consciousness together in meditation of that thing that is more important than anything, when you get right down to it. In honor of Valentines Day, some free-associated musings on love…
LOVE
is unconditional
is universal
is the best gift you can get
is a verb
has no manual
feels soft warm safe and bright
lifts us up and makes us our best selves
heals