Valentine's Day Uncovered

I woke up this morning to a phone call in a deep voice saying, "Happy Valentine's day, honey." 

Though I had already sent flowers, I had actually forgotten today was the day. I guess I'm so used to no expectation. Last year, after I gave the man I was dating his card and gift, he said, "I have to run out for a second, excuse me." 30 minutes later, he came back with two Walgreens chocolates and a lame card. Not so used to someone being romantic, in other words. 

My minister did this commitment celebration at church where he said you could commit to someone you love or commit to yourself. Though I have someone in my life, I chose to commit to myself. It's a much harder commitment. At the end, he said you can kiss the person you love. I kissed my hand and arm... People in my row laughed. But, I'll tell you, it's taken a long time for me to honor myself. And kissing myself was, indeed, an honor. lol

Loving yourself is the hardest thing in the world. I'm not talking Narcissism, where the whole world revolves around you. I speak of the kind of love where you consider that you are made in the image of God, and that your body and your mind need the care of your higher self to function in this crazy world. 

Your body needs you to choose the food you eat and the drinks you drink so that you won't end up overweight and diabetic, with a heart attack. Your mind needs you to filter out the negativity on a daily basis, and take time to meditate and focus in on the good and God in your life, so that you won't be filled with rage and anxiety. 

If this doesn't happen, there will be nothing left for anyone. No love, no charity, no compassion left for the ones you love. There will be no Valentine. 

So, I heard the sweet voice of love this morning and was ready and able to answer, "Happy Valentine's, my sweetheart," because I have it within me the love reserve to give to someone in my life who deserves the gift of authentic caring. I think that's what this day should be about.