With Valentine's Day approaching, I've been thinking a lot about love. I know what you're thinking-- it's hard not to right now, with the grocery store aisles lined with candy hearts and boxes of chocolates and stuffed animals and red and pink cards galore. I'll admit: I've always been sucker for Valentine's chocolates. Call me Forrest Gump, but I absolutely love the mystery of looking at a brand new box of assorted chocolates, never knowing which kind I'm going to bite into next. |
I thought of how our perception of love changes as we age. In our young years, we celebrate Valentine's Day by having elementary school parties and exchanging cute, colorful and candy-filled cards with our classmates. The day isn't about love so much as it is community... the idea of showing everyone around us that we appreciate them (and here's a lollipop for good measure). How can you not smile recalling those days? Seeing your little construction paper heart-covered box fill up with sweet messages from others is a guaranteed mood booster.
As we enter adolescence, Valentine's Day takes on new meaning-- one that (unfortunately) tends to stick with us long into adulthood. From the time we attend our first middle school Valentine's Day dance, the holiday becomes about romantic love. Those who have it are celebrated; those who don't are left feeling dejected and alone.
And then I think of the friends in my life. Some are heartbroken, some heartsick and some have hearts exploding with happiness. The status of their romantic relationships (or lack thereof) often has little correlation with the status of their hearts. Which brought me to a VERY. Important. Conclusion!
True love resides within our hearts-- independent of anyone or anything else in our lives. Our own hearts contain enough love to sustain us for our whole lives. If we love ourselves, we are more likely to share that love with others. We are more likely to emote love, attract love and embrace love.
It's science.
Love is all around us... all of us. But more important, it's in us. This Valentine's Day, I hope you'll join me in celebrating self-love... being happy with who we are. Let's all take a cue from Madonna and LIVE for love!