While most of us are familiar with the idea of Valentine's Day and the giving of gifts, cards, or small tokens of our affection, our definition of love may be as unique as we are. Valentine's Day is not just celebrated by lovers and mates but by friends and family.
There are those who give their fur babies treats on Valentine's Day. Animals have a knack for showing unconditional love that we would do well to learn from. The warm greeting you receive as you enter your home after a hard day of work is an example. Feel the stress of the day melt away with your dog's expressions of love. Learn from you dog, and offer a warm greeting, and a listening ear. Does your dog ever interrupt anything you have to say? He/she patiently allows you to ramble on.
Unconditional Love
The Love of a Child
The innocence of a child is refreshing, even if it is embarrassing at
times. Children often say what they think, but their comments are not
meant to be malicious. Their hearts are pure and beautiful. The Bible
recognizes the child: “and a child shall lead them” Isaiah 11:6. We can
learn to love without deceit, innocently, and with a child's faith. The
beauty of a child's love is truly remarkable.
Former Medical Group Chief John Gebhardt calming a victim of the war was quoted as saying “I got as much of it as the baby did. I reflected on my own family and life and thought about how lucky I have been.”
Express Love from your Heart
It may be easy to ask someone to pick up a gift for you to give to that
special someone, but is that really personal? Nothing could be more
personal than the feelings one has for another. An expression of those
feelings is more appreciated when it is genuine and expressed by the
individual giving the gift. If the message comes from someone else
other than the sender, is it sincere? Sometimes even Hallmark cannot
express one's heart felt feelings. I would prefer a heart felt message
over a Hallmark card any day. Remember those old love letters tucked
away in a shoe box? They mean more than any amount of money.
Make a Personal Card/Note
Why pay Hallmark's (sorry Hallmark's) to say what you know is in your heart, unless they can say it the way you want it said? What was the first thing you noticed about your special someone? What thought is it that keeps you going on those long days? What do you appreciate about him/her? It's nice to see it in writing once in awhile. Slip a note in their lunch box, pocket, attaché case, or some where you know they will look. Being appreciated and loved can go a long way towards making someone's day.
Be a Friend
If you are truly fortunate, you have a friend who knows some of your
deepest darkest secrets, but would never betray you. A true friend will
answer the door at 2:00 a.m., because they are needed, and not
complain, will sit up all night while you cry on their shoulder because
you have been hurt, disappointed, or betrayed. A true friend will get
out of their warm bed and rush you to the emergency room, when you are
not feeling well. Friends are more precious than gold. Have you told
your friend how much you appreciate them being there for you?
God is Love
A young boy named Logan summed up love more eloquently than I could in a radio call he made to a local station near him. Listen to the soul stirring conversation of the disc jockey and Logan.
Logan realizes more about love than some adults do because he knows that God demonstrated true love by giving up His only son to die for our sins. In knowing that Logan is accepting of the hand dealt him, and recognizes God's love and understanding in any and all situations.
Give of Yourself
Performing volunteer work, doing random acts of kindness, going out of
your way to make someone else's day will not only help them, but will
be of immense benefit to you also. We grow in character and strength
when we show compassion to another.
The benefits one reaps from doing good deeds should not be the
motivating factor, however, doing acts of kindness has been proven to
be therapeutic and stress relieving.
Take for instance Suzie and Sylvan who created the Boo Boo Zoo. Their
love for one another and for the sick, injured, and abandoned animals
worked a miracle in Suzie's life by curing her of terminal cancer.
Suzie and Sylvan embody love for one another, and for the abandoned, and injured animals they treat, and provide homes for at the refuge. If not for them these animals would otherwise die.
It is only in giving of yourself that you truly find the power of love. Love has to be given away to come back in its most powerful form. Why wait for Valentine's Day? Give some love today.
