On June 25, 1967, during a live broadcast of their new song, “All You Need Is Love” The Beatles sent out a universal appeal for spreading love across the world. Today, the song’s sweet message still resonates as we approach February 14th, Valentine’s Day, the universal day of love.
In my town, heart-shaped candies and boxes of chocolates, red and pink cards, and various colored roses have been on sale for weeks. Diamond advertisements abound. All signs indicate that Cupid is once again preparing to descend upon the population with arrow poised across his bow, ready to set hearts afire.
Statistics indicate that approximately 1 billion cards, 8 billion candy hearts, and 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be purchased during the love fest we call Valentine’s Day. Impressive.
What would be more impressive?
After thirty-five years of marriage, I still get excited about Valentine’s Day, but I have to admit there is one thing that trumps the traditional roses and candy. It is the sweet gestures and surprises extended by my husband on days not marked as a national day that thrill me the most. I think he feels the same way when I slip a hand-written note in his work papers or luggage during a business trip.
So, viva la Valentine’s Day! I will stop to smell the roses and devour the sumptuous chocolates. But, on the other 364 days of the year, during our busy day-to-day lives, I challenge myself to do a better job of communicating my heartfelt appreciation. The opportunities are limited only by my own imagination. A Tweet or note of thanks, a phone call, a catch-up lunch/dinner (these days sometimes reduced to a text message), a small welcome gift to a new neighbor, a kind word to a stranger, an impromptu candlelight dinner. Time slips by and good intentions sometime vanish undone.
This year, I challenge myself to do more to communicate my thanks and love for others – well after Valentine’s Day wraps up.
All we need is love. XO
