I agree – Valentine's Day has become a highly commercialized "Hallmark" holiday. It is hard to feel genuinely romantic with all the pressure of spending money on gifts, flowers, reservations of fancy dinners, parties, outfits, trips, messages, phone calls... Another blessed day for the retailers.

But instead of falling into the usual anti-Valentine's complaints, why not use this day as an opportunity?
Personally, commercial aspect of the holiday doesn't bother me – what does concern me is the spiritual impoverishment of the human soul. 
Why? Because in the words of wise professor Morri, you don't have to buy into this culture. Instead, "work at creating and building your own little subculture. You can't let anyone – or any society – determine how you think, what you value... Invest in people, in the human family. Build a little community of those you love and who love you."

In my world, I refuse to let anyone diminish the spirit of what Valentine's Day means to me. It has never been a grand affair in my family, yet it has never been ignored. Regardless of the biblical or secular interpretations, to me, Valentine's Day is a celebration of Love and Romance – a day to express fondness and appreciation to the special people in your life, to honour self-love, the love for life, the divine love. After all, love, attraction, and romance are as old as the world itself. 

I know, it is sad to count on being romantic and showing love on only one day out of the year, but I am not a perfect human being. Life moves fast, and I often get caught up in its demands. Perhaps that's why I embrace this day so fully. It serves as a conscious reminder to nurture the relationships that matter most to me. As a partner, friend, mother, daughter, and individual, I use Valentine's Day to set the tone for how I treat loved ones and others every day.

In fact, showing love and appreciation doesn't take much – certainly not a lot of money. Simple things can go a long way:

- listen to what others love and dream about;

- surprise them with something special, just for them;

- be inventive in your words; the same phrases lose impact with repetition;

- let go of ego – be humble, open, and vulnerable;

- cook for others, share a meal; there is something so honest and generous about preparing food for someone you love;

- take time to send or make cards, especially for Valentin's Day; I miss those evenings spent making Valentines for my son's elementary school classes;

- notice the little thing – like if your wife's car needs gas; surprise her while she is in yoga class by filling the tank and bringing the car back before she even notices. (Who does that? Well, my husband!)

- bake your son's favorite cookies in the shape of a mini heart, fill a jar with them and give it as a gift; for a vintage touch, cover the jar's lid with old paper  (find a recipe here);

- share a morning coffee with a loved one, or an afternoon tea with a friend; add a romantic touch with a mini heart perching on the edge of the cup;

- sing a song, dance a tango– even if you can't;

- love yourself; we are born with love and when we learn to love ourselves as an integral and equal part of the whole universe, we become capable to offer love to others; the more love we give, the more it grows within us, and the more we receive in return.

And on Valentine's Day? It's even easier.

   







And, no matter how we feel about Valentine's Day, who doesn't love indulging in some good chocolate?
I know I do!

And if you think all sounds cliche, I won't agree – after all "important things are inevitably cliche."







 " Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." 
- Danny, age 7


                                                                               
                                                                                      Hugs and kisses to you! XOXO




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