A Gift of Your Heart is a Gift from the Heart
Originally published 2/1/2014
It’s that time of year again, when we’ve gained some distance from the holiday season (and the post-holiday January recovery period), and we’re starting to look forward to longer days and enjoy *slightly* warmer weather here in the northeast. Enter February, and that holiday that many of us look to with a fair amount of dread and/or resentment: Valentine’s Day.
I don’t mean to sound as though I am not a fan of romance or sentiment—it’s quite the opposite, really. But like many others, I’ve looked upon Valentine’s day as a bit forced…a candy and greeting card holiday, a time when everyone feels pressured to do something special for their significant other—or pressured to face the not-necessarily-good-feeling lack of significant other. If you're a fan of Valentine's day, then I salute you. Your head and heart for romance have not gotten lost in holiday commercialism, and that is truly a remarkable and admirable thing.
For those of you who fall into the anti-Valentine’s Day camp, I suggest a new approach to February 14th—a taking back of the day, of sorts. What is Valentine’s Day, after all, but a reminder to pause and appreciate those around you who make your life brighter, simpler, happier in even the smallest way. This could be a family member, a close friend, or even someone you see in your daily routine who cheers you with a passing comment, a compliment, or even a smile to let you know they’re happy to see you. Don’t overlook these seemingly small details; some days you may find that the smallest kindnesses are what really make the day for you. The picture chosen for this post, for example, was a cup of coffee I received from my local coffee shop last fall. I ordered my usual favorite, made quick chit-chat and stepped out of the way to wait, as there was a small crowd. When my name was called to pick up my drink, there was a chocolate heart drawn into the foam on my latte. There was nothing indicative behind the gesture; it was simply a small, sweet, random act of kindness. I was so touched that I took a picture of it to remind myself of the good people who are a part of my day, even for just a few minutes.
Show the people who matter to you how much you appreciate them. Have brunch with your family, or plan an afternoon of spa treatments with your friends. Spend an hour having coffee and a chat with a friend, or reach out to distant loved ones to let them know you are thinking about them. And if you’re not a fan of the greeting card industry, how about penning a quick note to someone and dropping it in the mail? I can’t even remember the last time I got a hand-addressed personal card or letter in the mail, but I do remember it being a very pleasant surprise among the bills and sale flyers.
Spend a little time appreciating yourself, as well. Pick a morning to clear your schedule and sleep in. Take yourself out to breakfast, and enjoy your favorite book while someone else prepares your meal. Book yourself a massage (you knew I had to put that in here somewhere!) and let your body know you are grateful for the work it does every day.
Let your appreciation spill over into other days of the week; don’t just reserve them for February 14th. Why not two weeks, or even a whole month, of compliments, sentiment, appreciation, and kindness? Why try and squeeze it all into just one holiday when there is so much to be given? Show others warmth, compassion and appreciation and observe how quickly it can spread. By the time February is behind you, your attitude of gratitude will be a natural part of your day…and you might even be thankful for the holiday that started it all, for serving as a reminder that you don’t need to designate a day to be loving and generous, you need only to give what is already within you, and reap the sweet reward of receiving kindness in return.
