Today is a day to celebrate Love and appreciation! Traditionally, we think of Valentines Day as a day to celebrate romantic love, but I’d like to offer an invitation for us all to extend that celebration out to overall Love!  Why not?  We celebrate so many other things in life, why not love! 

Many gurus around the world identify love as being one of the most powerful energies in the world!

There are many types of Love!  Merriam-Webster Dictionary online defines love in many ways – “Strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (i.e. maternal love for a child), attraction based on sexual desire (affection and tenderness felt by lovers), affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests (love of old friends), an assurance of affection (giving love), warm attachment, enthusiasm or devotion(love of the sea, music…), the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration(baseball was his first love), a beloved person(darling – often used as a term of endearment), unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another as the fatherly/motherly concern for humankind or brotherly/sisterly concern for others, a person’s adoration of God”.

With all of the definitions of the one four-lettered word ‘love’, it’s not a wonder that the word can be so confusing.  In my own experience there are many kinds of love, similar to the above mentioned definitions – such as the love of a life partner, love of children and family, love of friends & community, love of joyful things in life, love of ‘All of Life’, love of pets, love and care for others who are suffering, love of beauty, music, creating…Love as selfless and kindness to all beings, love as spiritual devotion, an offering, something precious and worthy of holding onto.  And, of course, there is self-love. 

And, many of you have likely heard about the 5 love languages, different ways that folks share their love and appreciation towards others.  Again, these languages are usually in the context of partnership, and the reality is that we’re all connected and have relationship with each other in varying ways.  These ways can be applied to each other as related to the varying roles mentioned above, with correct mind and proper boundaries, of course!

Here’s a highlight of the 5 love languages: quality time(giving of your undivided attention), words of affirmation(thank you’s and positive words towards something you’ve noticed someone do or be), acts of service(cooking dinner, mowing the lawn, volunteering to help someone), physical touch(hugs), and sharing gifts(candy, cakes).  

I have an invitation for us today related to love and taking a positive action towards love.  Think about some way you’d like to be more loving today and/or show appreciation towards your children, partner, friend, relative, community member, work, service, home, yourself, a creative endeavor…and make a positive action towards that. See yourself doing this action and allow yourself to share your loving kindness.

Love is pure, kind, compassionate, genuine, and present.  Happy Valentines Day!

Love & Hugs to you all!