Three of the most important words in any language are “I Love You.” At the same time, they are three of the easiest words to simply toss off, as mundanely and cursorily as “Don’t forget to take out the trash before you go.” How many times have you, or someone you love – usually when leaving each other’s company for awhile, like when leaving for work – said, “Love you!”…or, upon hearing that said to you, say back, “Love you too,” as you frantically look for your car keys or your PDA?
Today, on Valentine’s Day, it can be just as perfunctory to tell your loved ones that you love them, give them some flowers, candy, a nice meal out, or – for some – sweeping your partner off their feet into the bedroom for outrageously juicy sex for the first time in awhile. Yet, at the risk of being maudlin, do we often REALLY stop to realize that that casually tossed off “Love you!” could be the final words you and a loved one exchange? Do we often pay attention to how much we take our love, and lovers/partners, for granted?
My wife and I saw the movie “The Last Station” yesterday, about the life and marriage of Leo Tolstoy & his wife Sofya. All the clear dysfunctions of their marriage aside, there was an incredible love between them that endured for 48 years. It made me think about my wife, with whom I’ve been partnered for 28 years. The film reconnected me with the true preciousness and value of love like that…the love in the film, the love I have for my wife Sarah, and the love she has for me, after all the years, trials, and challenges.
In noticing how much younger Sarah and I are NOT getting, it struck me that every day is Valentine’s Day, if we just stay awake and present to the gifts that we have in our most valuable and fulfilling relationships.
I invite you readers to make this Valentine’s Day, and of course every day, special by doing the following things, starting today (if you haven’t already done so):
- While with your loved ones today (and each day), actually stop and take a moment to take a deep breath, feel into your own body, and then just watch that loved one for a few minutes…feeling into what you love about them; particularly, look at something you love about them that you either haven’t noticed in awhile and/or haven’t said anything to them about in a long while.
- Make the time to pull a loved one close to you, especially your spouse/partner if you have one and your children, and instead of just saying “I love you,
actually tell them at least two things about them that you love and appreciate about them. If you can find something to name that you don’t tend to acknowledge them for very often, use that/those.
- Tell a loved one or three how their presence in your life has most recently made a meaningful difference in your life…then, thank them for that gift.
- Tell them how that meaningful difference your loved one’s love has made in your life has been or will be paid forward to others in your life that could use it. Be sure you’re doing your best to actually FEEL what you’re sharing, so the energy not only goes to your loved one but recirculates back throughout your heart and Spirit.
- Lastly, remember that our love is what actually bodily connects us to Spirit and can remind us of who we truly are as Divine Beings; take that love in for yourself, thank Spirit, and feel the glow that this, and the other practices I’ve outlined above, will generate throughout your whole body, mind, and heart.
It ain’t a box of chocolates, but it will be better for you and much longer lasting! Happy Love Day to you all today and every day.
