Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all….

LOVE : The most powerful force in the universe. It can make one completely lose all sense of sanity and act in a total state of lunacy, give one the strength needed to carry on while all other hope is lost, and everything in between. I’ve been on all parts of the spectrum and at this point in my life, I have decided it is better to just embrace it rather than fight it.

It is February 14th – Valentine’s Day. A day most of us have grown to dread. For the single: it is a day to be reminded that you don’t have that “special someone” and you are, in fact, alone. And what a terrible thing to be “alone” on Valentine’s day… but really, it’s just like every other day. As a member of this group, part of me sometimes wishes that I could just close the blinds on the rest of the world and fast forward through this glamified couple fest. For those with a significant other: let the anxiety begin! Expectations set in as to whether or not your gestures and tokens of affection will rise up to an acceptable proclamation of your feelings for your other half. Will you send the appropriate message and set the right tone moving forward in your relationship??? If you fail today, will this ruin everything that has led up to now and everything that is to follow after???

But why, I ask, should love only matter on one stupid day of the year??!? And why is it only the romantic form of love that should be given weight in the meaning of the word?? Though I am single, I’ve been blessed with some great love in my life. I was raised in a family where their love for one another literally got them through the most IMPOSSIBLE situations. They left their homes and came to America to build hope and a future. We’ve battled sickness and hardships that seemed to lead nowhere but a dead-end. I’ve had friends hold my hand through times where I could not do anything for myself and have happily returned the favor.

And what about the most important kind of love? SELF LOVE. If you aren’t happy with yourself and love yourself unconditionally, how could you possibly expect to share that kind of feeling with another or receive that kind of love in return?

Today I am thinking of everyone I’ve ever loved, in any sense of the word – my friends, my family, and those who meant even more. Sending my heart and good thoughts to you all. Even though I cannot stand what a ridiculous day this holiday has evolved into, everyone deserves to feel loved. Alfred Lord got it right, as far as I’m concerned. It is so easy to think of all that don’t have at the current moment but, in most cases, there has been so much that we have been lucky enough to share in our lifetimes. Change is part of life so, even if it didnt last, I am so grateful for every moment and feeling that I have given or received love. I want to take my day and enjoy in that. Even if it’s just a memory. It is enough to make me smile and feel that glimmer of hope to one day relive that feeling. So happy Valentine’s day to everyone. Sending you love and keeping some for myself. Please do the same.