The celebration of Valentine's Day has been unfairly divided between haves and the have-nots. Those who are lucky in love have been planning outfits and restaurant reservations for weeks already, while others are gearing up for their annual run on Ben & Jerry's and Netflix. Can't there be a happy medium? It seems the only way to resurrect Valentine's Day from its state of extremes is to broaden its limited focus on romantic love. Valentine's Day will always be a holiday for lovers, but it can also be a day for love in the forms of camaraderie, charity and self-appreciation.
Whether you are one half of an inseparable couple, or one very independent single, use this Valentine's Day to celebrate the people that put love and care into your everyday life. Round up your favorite friends, convince your co-worker to join the fun and invite your neighbors to a night of delicious food and wine to treat yourselves well. It will be a pressure-free occasion (apart from the obligation to bring a dish or a beverage). Resist the urge to play matchmaker and keep it casual. What a refreshing change from a pricey prix fixe dinner for two!
If you expect to laze away the day on February 14th, we suggest a different plan. Why not show a little love by volunteering? Sign up at a soup kitchen, a local community center or for someone else in your life who could use a hand? We guarantee that your hours of service will make another person feel loved and give you a warm fuzzy feeling that chocolate hearts just won't produce. If your significant other is expecting you to put in Valentine's Day couple time, bring him or her along for a day that could bring you even closer together.
Finally, there's no reason not to use this Valentine's Day to love yourself. If you've been crazed with obligations and running on empty, this is an ideal opportunity to focus on your own needs and wants. Remember to celebrate the positives in your life rather than making a mental list of self-improvements. You might want a spa day, a yoga class, or simply an afternoon where you turn off your cell phone and computer and read a book. Overall, it's time to think of Valentine's Day as an occasion to honor the goodness in our hearts and the love that comes to us in many forms throughout the year. When it comes to love, the more you give, the more you receive!
