February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine’s Day!  On this day we are allowed to love without reason and love without shame.  Let it remind us that there is no reason for either of those things in every day love.  Rebel against the structured plans for love in American culture and decide that your love will know no linear plan or underrated expectation.  Love is our natural state of being and the very first thing we see upon arrival as a human.  It is natural to love and be loved, regardless of what structural set up that has in your life.  Allow your love to be what it is, and allow this day to show you how much love exists in your life.

Regardless of whether or not you have a spouse, use today as a reason to share love.  With “hellos” and hugs, kindness and invitations.  Love is well beyond the chocolates, the flowers, the cards and the dinners.  It is more than that, and those who have no one to celebrate with today know this far more than those who do. Do not use today as an excuse to love more, use it as fuel to love always. 

Be in love today.  Decide today that you will love yourself far more than you ever have.  Not with ice cream or new clothes (which, even though we try to convince ourselves are a gift, they are destructive to our ideal self), but with nurturing thoughts and honest living.  Let this day show you how much you are loved, without any words or gifts or even a spouse. Love exists in your life always, always, always. 

If you seek love, give love.  To gas station attendants, coworkers, spouses and your self.  Love.  Love beyond what you feel you’re capable of.  And, have an entire life filled with obvious love from this day forward.

To throwing everything you’ve learned about love out the window.

With love,

Amanda

PS – I LOVE you!