As Valentine’s Day approaches, I want to challenge you to break through your typical patterns of the day. Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be a day of routine…it should be a day full of fun and driven by love.
Consider the following suggestions as “love lifters” that anyone can embrace and express. When I think of Valentine’s Day, it should be the day we all step up and show greater love to others. So how can you and I share a greater level of love this Valentine’s Day? It’s as simple as L-O-V-E!
[L]isten:: When we pause long enough to truly listen to someone, it shows love. So this Valentine’s Day don’t just say…“How are you?” Say… “I really would love to know how you are doing?” Then give the person as much time as they need to share. Listening to others has become a lost art. Don’t let this happen to you…show how much you love someone by listening to them!
[O]ffer:: I have heard many times, “LOVE is spelled TIME”. So true! Offering someone your time is a great act of love. I wish I hadn’t told Jessie so many times… “just a minute”… when she was growing up. That “minute” often turned into a much longer time. This Valentine’s Day…offer your time to those that need it most. When you do… love will flow into your life and theirs.
[V]alue:: Differences tend to cause tension between two people when love & grace escapes a relationship. No matter if it is personality differences or just the fact two people grew up differently and have different experiences. No two people are alike and accepting others is a great way to show love to them. So this Valentine’s Day… show love to the people in your life by valuing and celebrating their differences. Tell someone you love… “I’m so thankful you are (insert difference). It makes me a better person.”
[E]xtend:: Now that we have talked about using our ears, our time and our words to show love to others… we can talk about our hands. One of the things that I miss the most from Jessie is her “hugs”. Boy could she hug! Hugging is such a powerful way to show someone you love them. My challenge to you this Valentine’s Day is to give a hug to someone you truly know needs it.
There you go… four great ways to make this Valentine’s Day a little extra special! I truly hope everyday is full of love and laughter!
THANK YOU for your gift to help care until there is a cure!
