As we approach February 14th, the day assigned to love, how are you doing with the concept of Valentine’s Day and its meaning to you? We place a lot of expectation on this one single day. The roses, the cards, the chocolates, the “I Love You’”s … And what about those who don’t have a partner? Do you dread this Love Designated Day? Maybe it might be better to look at our lives and see where we can love more on a daily basis, and even on a moment-to-moment basis. When we love, we really mean we expect nothing in return but for many of us, this isn’t the case. We have a whole lot of expectation attached to the love we give out.
Love is the best healing in the world! Sit quietly for a moment and reflect on what love means to you. Let yourself become aware of the last time you felt a deep and resounding love and appreciation — was it for your partner, your family, watching your child being born, new puppies, a sunset, a breathtaking waterfall — just let yourself feel what it feels to love without expecting anything but just basking in that moment, that glimpse of awe and appreciation. This takes me to a memory of a hike my husband and I did in Newfoundland a couple of years ago after a hurricane came ashore. We decided to go on the hike after the torrential two day rains because we didn’t want to miss the opportunity, seeing it was one of the main reasons we went to that specific area in the first place. We hiked that trail that afternoon and there was absolutely NO ONE but us on it! It was magical in every sense of the word. We were alone with the eagles, the whales, the cliffs, the mud, and the ocean and I slip back into this memory when I want to feel that kind of freedom and love — for my partner, for nature, and for myself connected to it all.
To quote Mother Teresa, “to keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.” Children display this so well. They love so easily. They are able to live in the moment because they have not walled themselves apart from people and events. They possibly have not experienced hurt, disappointment and rejection. But as adults, how many of us love so freely? Loving is really about no strings attached but yet we often find ourselves sitting in expectation of something in return or we fear getting hurt. The best way to get love is to give it but easier said than done, you might say. When you think about love in any given context – it is really the gel that holds everything together. If you look at a couple – isn’t it the love that pulls you toward each other; in families – no matter what your place is – isn’t it love that holds you to the family? In all relationships, love is the great tamer just as the trainer tames the lion.
Love is beyond affection and it can can conquer all obstacles. The easiest way to start loving is to see something that you appreciate in every single person you meet. Start a gratitude journal where you write who or what you love and appreciate. Bringing love to your consciousness helps all relationships. And don’t we all have a relationship or two that can benefit from love, hence healing. I sure have a few and if you are being honest with yourself, you will find some too.
In closing, I wish you all a Love-Filled Day on February 14th and I also wish you LOVE everyday!
“Happy relationships depend not on finding the right person, but on being the right person.” – Eric Butterworth
In summation,
DANCE as though no one is watching you
LOVE as though you have never been hurt before
SING as though no one can hear you
LIVE as though heaven is on earth.
