for things that remind us to love.
for people who love me.
for people *I* can love.
for experiencing real love.
for having the opportunity to show real love.
Ah Valentine's Day. The romance of it all. I'm kind of not a fan. Ok, I like thinking about love and my loving relationships. I'm so grateful I have them in abundance. I like the reminder to BE loving towards those who are in my realm of loving relationships. But, I'm not really a fan of a contrived commercial event that forces people to give cards, flowers, candy, and gifts to justify something that should already exist in loving relationships. It's a fun day and a fun time. And I know my girls love being the object of their Dad's affection.
Ever heard of the
Mine isn't gifts. So truly, my sweetheart could BUY me NOTHING, and I can still be happy. Now if he IGNORED my completely, I might feel a sting. Because mine is words of affirmation and quality time. So, if he showed up after my chemistry class. Haha, get it? Chemistry. And whisked me off and sat and talked with me for hours...ROMANCE!
President David A Bednar said:
We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love....
Sometimes in a sacrament meeting talk or testimony, we hear a statement like this: “I know I do not tell my spouse often enough how much I love her. Today I want her, my children, and all of you to know that I love her.” Such an expression of love may be appropriate. But when I hear a statement like this, I squirm and silently exclaim that the spouse and children should not be hearing this apparently rare and private communication in public at church! Hopefully the children hear love expressed and see love demonstrated between their parents in the regular routine of daily living. If, however, the public statement of love at church is a bit surprising to the spouse or the children, then indeed there is a need to be more diligent and concerned at home.
You are much better off reading the just recommended book and begin SPEAKING the language of love that is unique to your loved one. And then there are others. Friends and acquaintances. How do we express love and respect to them? Today has me thinking about great advice I've heard in the past about relationships. And it applies whether it is a close loved one, a friend, or someone we really can't stand. Because on this day of love, there are many in situations that are not so loving.
My invitation if you are in a loving relationship and are remembered today. Be grateful. If you are not in a loving relationship where you are appreciated, you know how awful it feels. Is there someone else you can reach out to in a worse situation than yours and express love to them? I am sure they would appreciate it and you'll feel better too. And what about if you are in a loving relationship but they just don't get it, or they forgot it, or they may never get it? But they do love you? Do the most loving thing you can today, and forgive them. Because real love is unconditional and doesn't pitch a fit because they did not fulfill the mathematical commercial equation set for a contrived day we call February 14/Valentine's Day.
Finally, for the people who get under your skin. Who you think are impossible to love. Who you'd rather think of anyone else than them on this day. Two pieces of advice I love. The first from a modern wise man. The second from an ancient one. Happy Valentine's Day yawl. Go find someone to love!
And.But when it comes to our own prejudices and grievances, we too often justify our anger as righteous and our judgment as reliable and only appropriate. Though we cannot look into another’s heart, we assume that we know a bad motive or even a bad person when we see one. We make exceptions when it comes to our own bitterness because we feel that, in our case, we have all the information we need to hold someone else in contempt. Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Awesome!"One day Socrates was walking down a street with some friends when a nobleman approached. As was customary, Socrates greeted him, but the nobleman walked straight past, declining to return the courtesy. The friends of the philosopher were angry at the nobleman but Socrates used the incident to teach a lesson.
'Suppose,' said Socrates, 'you meet a man on the street with poorer clothing than your own? Would that make you angry? Why then are you angry at a man who has poorer mental habits than you possess?'
Finally, a shout out to my darling. He reads these. :-) He's my biggest fan. "Real love is NOT based on romance, candle light dinner and walks along the beach. In fact, 'LOVE' is based on Respect, Compromise, Care & Trust." I don't know who said that, but I like it. I'm sure he's relieved I feel that way. What I really think about love is how it is expressed in scripture.
