A Message of Love
It is said that February is the most depressing month of the year. Not so coincidentally, Valentine’s Day is situated right in the middle of this most unhappy of times. This is the day that single people around the world dread, the day when all of the happy couples flaunt their love with abandon and make the rest of the world feel as though their loneliness is nothing more than a product of being a mutant.
When I was in junior high, I remember one girl being very depressed on February 14th. It was her first Valentine’s Day alone. She said that she had always had someone to spend the day with, and finally, the sadness that her single friends had experienced in years past was now her own. I remember thinking that it was all very weird. I mean, who cares if you’re alone on Valentine’s Day? There’s lots of fun stuff to do when you’re alone, right?
It seems to be a product of society. As I became more aware of the social pressures surrounding “being single”, I felt more and more depressed whenever I reached February 14th as one, lonely girl. The glamour of hearts, diamonds, candy, and sweet nothings not only made me feel left out, but it also made me feel like a failure. I would make as many plans as possible to distract myself from the fact that I wasn’t like my successful, blissfully married friends. Most of the time, I was able to make it work until I returned to my vast, empty, queen size bed.
Where did we all go wrong? When did we stop smiling at the little love notes that our friends slipped into our bags at school? When did getting a hug from Mom or Dad become less important than receiving one from a partner? Valentine’s Day was so exciting when we were children! It wasn’t about romance. It was about telling someone what they meant to you, whispering little secret things that you’d always liked about them, and of course, there were some pretty sweet candy bonuses. There was nothing to be sad about back then, so why should there be anything to be sad about now?
It’s real love that we’ve been missing. It’s so easy to be caught up in perception and forget about the real, core value of what we’re trying to celebrate. Hallmark holiday or not, there’s something important to consider in Valentine’s Day. It’s a time to celebrate love in all of its forms, an opportunity to explore your heart’s desire with anyone you care for, whether it be a friend, family member, or true love. You don’t need to be in a relationship to explore this. Any person can help to unlock your heart, if only you allow them to.
Sure, it’s not the same, but romance can wait. We all forget that the most magical parts of life are worth waiting for (as cheesy as it sounds). Finding the love of your life is never as important as recognizing the love that you’re surrounded by. When we demonstrate love in all of its forms, we’re able to become better connected with the people around us and prepare for that moment when we feel our hearts flutter for a special person. Isn’t that what Valentine’s Day should really be about?
Married, single, divorced, broken-hearted; it doesn’t matter. This Valentine’s Day, celebrate love in its most magnificent form. Tell someone you care. Let your friends know that you value their presence in your life. Tell your family that you love them. Whatever way you choose to celebrate, make sure that you celebrate with all your heart! You may be surprised at the results.
And of course, don’t forget to give yourself a little extra squeeze. Real love starts with you. Let it shine, and the rest of the world will follow!
Contributing author: Lauren Messervey.
Lauren is the social media coordinator for Yoga Tree. An avid Yogi with a love for Tree Pose, she is originally from Atlantic Canada and joined the bustling city of Toronto in June of last year. You may find her in the Midtown region, practicing Yoga or blogging for Yoga Tree. She is currently completing her first novel, set to be released Spring 2014.
