Happy Valentine's Day, dear reader! How I love this particular day of the year, how it has always filled me with hope, longing, happiness, joy, and love.
To me it is a day for simple gestures. For saying I love you, for smiles, handwritten notes, something sweet, small tokens of one's esteem.
I believe in love. I believe in love in all its many forms. I believe in looking into people, for that is where they are easiest to love and where you will see their greatest beauty. I believe in being kind, warm, generous, inclusive, easygoing, in looking for common ground, in nurturing, affection, friendship, and romance.
Here is one thing I know about love: it is beautiful to give and receive it, but sometimes it doesn't come to you in the way you wish it would.
How I wish it would.
But it doesn't always and you can't control that. The only thing you can control is giving it.
So give it. Put love out there. Put it out there whether you are getting it back or not. To me, that is the most elevating and meaningful way to live. To love regardless of what you get in return. I'm not saying it's easy. I am familiar with gaping holes in one's heart, in missing bonds and things gone wrong. And I know how an absence of love can bring such bleakness into one's soul, how it can trip so many crappy coping mechanisms.
But when and where you can, give love. Put it out there without looking for it to return. Sometimes it will return. When it does, open your arms and receive it.
Love brings a certain healing of its own. It makes this world so achingly beautiful. It binds up every sadness and conquers all. Love triumphs and eclipses, it is the last thing standing. And it will always stand.
I don't know why I always wax so heavy on Valentine's Day. It's a little knack I have, being the life of the party. You should see me on my birthday. You should see what I talk about then.
I don't know why I can't just leave it at a dozen roses and a box of chocolates, but...Valentine's Day. You are such a beautiful day. I believe in you every day of the year. But when you actually come, I feel a secret thrill.
And then I have to lecture about love.
I hope this day is filled with sweet and simple gestures of love. I hope you feel it. And I hope you put it out there, too.
Happy Valentine's Day. xoxo
