WHAT VALENTINE'S DAY MEANS TO ME NOW..

We have been bombarded for the last couple of weeks with invitations and ideas on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day.. by the newspapers.. social media.. advertisements in magazines.. on Instagram etc.. We are being offered vacation packages.. staycation packages.. delicious chocolates.. expensive wines.. exotic flower arrangements.. singing messages.. discounted luxury watches.. lavish brunches and dinners and whatnot!

Feeling somewhat overwhelmed? And not to forget the peer pressure of who’s giving what this year.. finding an innovative gift.. finding yet another creative way to say “I love you”.. booking a table at THE happening new restaurant in town.. AND doing all this in utmost secrecy so as not to dilute the surprise at all.. Stressful right? So.. just don’t do it..

At the ripe old age of 60 I like to believe that I have managed to acquire a little wisdom and my perspectives have changed as well.. In my 20s and 30s I still wanted the red hearts and teddy bears and declarations of undying love (!!) on Valentine’s Day thinking that that was all I needed to feel “complete” and get through life! I gathered the bouquets.. ate the chocolates.. hugged the teddy bears and celebrated being loved by someone special!

Time went by.. I grew up.. relationships fell apart.. friends came and went.. some stayed.. my life goals changed.. and I changed.. I grew.. I learned and most important of all.. I finally understood..

Until you believe you are worthy of it and love yourself.. no one else can love you.. and you do not have the capacity to love anyone else either! What matters most to me now is.. What is your definition of love? Allow me to share what love means to me today..

Love.. to me.. is my doctor buddy calling up just to check on how I’m feeling.. it’s my neighbour texting to say egg curry’s on the menu for dinner and do I want some.. it’s my spiritual guide praying for me and keeping me in protection.. it’s a close friend asking if I slept well last night.. it’s my helper making my favourite food to tempt my appetite when I’m sick.. it’s my building watchman running to take a heavy parcel I’m struggling with.. it’s my bhajiwallah calling to say he's got exceptional green peas and is sending 2 kgs across.. it's my part-timer volunteering to give me a back or foot massage in the middle of her packed schedule..

Love is care.. concern.. thoughtfulness.. a generosity of spirit.. abundance in both giving and receiving.. Love is kindness.. compassion.. a strong shoulder to lean on.. an ear that listens patiently.. It is calling to ask if someone reached home safely.. running an errand for someone who’s unwell..

To me.. love is unconditional acceptance of those whom we truly love.. it is being non-judgemental.. it is “being there” to support help and uplift those around us.. it is being sensitive to the feelings of others.. being respectful and thoughtful.. It is what awakens from time spent in reflection.. introspection and the succeeding personal growth.. and love is something that grows and spreads from the wellspring of your soul..

By all means.. go out and celebrate.. do the whole red hearts.. chocolates.. gifts.. candlelight dinner.. declaration of eternal love.. and amid all the joy and celebration.. reflect and redefine all that love really means to you.. and then resolve to LIVE by it!

Love is something that we should aspire to make our “default setting” today on Valentine’s Day.. and all through the year! Wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day and may your life be filled with an abundance of the most pure and precious kind of love.. today.. tomorrow and always!

P.S. Please write your names in the comments.. Blogspot isn’t the most user-friendly website in this matter!