We’re almost there. Just one more dreaded holiday to get through today, and single people will feel free again. Free from the torture of diamond commercials. Free from your family’s pressure to find your soul mate and get married. Free from the barrage of dating app ads on your social media. We survived another happy couple holiday season, which in my world covers Christmas, New Year’s and Valentine’s Day – the trifecta.
Yes, I know we are already free. We are free to do what we want when we want, because we are single.
I used to let the trifecta of holidays make me feel down. This is the first year I haven’t tied sadness to these holidays, and I’m not completely sure why. I spent Christmas with my nieces and nephew, spent New Year’s with a good friend and will spend Valentine’s Day evening at yoga and will probably top the night off with some Gobstopper Hearts. I have kept myself busy and around people who love me unconditionally. Well, maybe the candy love is one-sided.
I was feeling the love this week leading up to Valentine’s Day. I had the opportunity to see Michelle Obama’s Becoming Book Tour. Not only could I feel the love radiating from her all the way up in our balcony seating, I felt surrounded by a community of positive people. I also couldn’t help but smile when Michelle talked about her relationship with Barack. Sometimes it is easy to forget that love really does happen and is possible for all of us.
Galentine’s Day was celebrated in a special way with my Girls Circle group through a mentoring program I volunteer with. It was our final meeting, and as part of the festivities, we each took turns sharing specific feedback about what we appreciated about one another. The women and girls helped me to see things in myself that I didn’t know I possessed or growth I had not recognized on my own. It really inspired me to consider how I can show this side of myself even more to make a difference to others and to acknowledge and thank myself for some of the changes I have made in my life and the way I show up to support others.
The exercise also helped me think about the ways we give each other verbal recognition. As females, we often compliment appearances. Think about how much more impactful our words can be when we appreciate someone’s character. Recognizing someone’s compassion for others, their positivity, how they assist others, or even how they add fun to our life can be encouraging and meaningful.
Valentine’s Day Challenge
If you are looking for a way to spread love on Valentine’s Day or really any day, I encourage you to give this challenge a try. Reach out to someone and let them know what you appreciate about them. I promise that it will also make your day! Give it a try and let me know how it goes by adding a comment to this post.
I may not be celebrating romantic love this year, but my heart feels full with all of the love from friends, family and the community. Happy Valentine’s Day My Loves!