As Valentine’s Day of 2021 has now arrived, here too, is an article on Love and the theories around this special event!
Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14th in several countries across the world. Usually candy, flowers or gifts are exhanged between loved ones. For, all we need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt! 😀
But how did this special day of love come about?
One of many theories were when Emperor Claudius II decided that men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, a priest, realizing this injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secrecy. After his acts were discovered, he was put in jail. Before his death, it is alleged that Valentine wrote a letter to a jailer’s daughter who would visit him and signed it “From Your Valentine”. And, although the truth to these theories might be more of a myth, the stories emphasize Valentine’s appeal as a heroic, romantic figure. Thus, creating the love theme which it has been for years and still is today.
While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death, it was also known for the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, a fertility festival dedicated to Faumus, the Roman god of agriculture. Priests would sacrifice a goat for fertility and women welcomed the touch of the hide believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women would place their name in an urn and bachelors from all around would choose a name and become paired for a year, often ending in a marriage.
So, who is the cupid fellow? You know, the naked cherub launching arrows of love at unsuspecting lovers? Well, he has his roots in Greek mythology as the Greek god of love, Eros. He was known as the handsome immortal who played with the emotions of Gods and men, using golden arrows to incite love.
Throughout history, love has been looked upon with deep interest and fascination. No matter which era people have lived, one of the best feelings in the world, is without question, Love. We fall into it, seek it out, cherish it, share it – it is an experience and expression that everyone can understand, regardless of who they are or which time in history it was felt.
Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states. From the deepest interpersonal affection to the simplest life pleasures. It is referred to as a feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment. It is not always easy, but the reward is infinite love when you look past the initial layers of romance, passion and wonder to recognize something even deeper. A deep mutual expression of respect, trust, honesty, integrity, intimacy, chemistry and partnership. From there becomes unwavering, unbreakable and unparalleled fondness and devotion.
Though this special day is celebrated annually, it is also important to recognize the importance of every day love and appreciation for all that is in our lives. By cultivating it carefully through loving actions and treating others with kindness and compassion. And, this respect should also include yourself. Self-love is a beginning practice of love. From self-love we learn to love others – a partner, a friend, a parent, a pet – from family to friends, to associates, to the world.
By acknowledging the reality of our moment-to-moment existence. we recognize how important it is to re-stimulate positive feelings. For, then actions soon follow. Since love shifts like any other emotion, thriving long-term relationships are constantly nourished by re-stimulation of those positive feelings. The heart needs to be in a constant awakening. And, when we love, when we strive to become a better person, everything around us becomes better too.
Here are some wonderful gifts to give your loved one for Valentine’s Day, or any day(s) of the year:
- Give kind complimentary words of appreciation
- Give a Hug
- Give a neck or foot massage
- Give your attention
- Give listening skills
- Give communication and support
- Give thanks
Did you know that the words “love” and “happiness” express the same state of being, with the same physiological fingerprints; the same chemicals are secreted into the bloodstream? When you love, you feel happy; when you are happy, you feel loving.
It takes work, time and patience but the benefits of learning and loving more than ever before can reach to a higher level within yourself, which you never thought could ever achieve. For, love is the highest emotion you can ever feel and can overpower any other. That muscle quietly beating, pumping life through your body, is said to be the center of love. Keep it healthy, keep it alive.
The heart is life’s calling card. It beats the rhythms of life, hope, inspiration and love. When you speak from the heart, you resonate with the heart of others. When you listen from the heart, you listen without judgement, expectations or opinions. Love endures not from words, but from actions that carry you beyond reason or motive, to embrace all people, things and circumstances. It needs to be continually nurtured through continued perseverence.
Continue to look with love upon all humanity, wrapping them in a cloak of kindness and compassion. We are all in this adventure of life together, seeking meaning, purpose, happiness and love. When your attention rests in your heart, it has risen above fear, sorrow and anger. It enables your attention to rise above life stresses and challenges. To feel the love of people whom we love is the nourishment that feeds our life.
Have love and compassion become a way of life, not just something we share on one selected day of love each year. Bring love to all you do, say and think. Bring that joy to others and enjoy the benefits greatly yourself. For, the one true happiness in life is to love, and to be loved. To love, is the foundation of your life journey, it is without limits and recognizes no barriers.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides. It is like a flower, we’ve got to keep it alive and growing….allow it to flourish, every single day of your life……
Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day! 😀
