Mindful Love Hack

My sister and I were talking about Valentine’s Day and questioning what it has become. As lovely as it is to dedicate a day to the celebration of love and romance, shouldn’t those be celebrated every day? 
 
No sooner has Christmas come down from the shelves, stores are filling up with Valentine chocolate, teddy bears and heart shaped things. If you want a dinner reservation you must make it more than month ahead of time, then be forced to eat at a certain time, off a “special” menu that’s conveniently fixed price. And what if you’re single or your relationship is going through a rough patch? It’s a lot of pressure. 
 
The thing is, real love is not all roses and teddy bears. It’s wonderful and rich and fulfilling and a helluva lot of work if you’re going to make it last. It can be messy and imperfect and downright hard sometimes. And that doesn’t only apply to romantic love – the same could be said for familial love and even good friendships.
 
Perhaps that’s what should be celebrated. Love as a verb. Love as the mindful effort that goes into keeping our loving connections with others strong, the compromises and sacrifices as well as the affection, sharing and laughter. 
 
Today and every day I wish you all the love in the world.