What's Love Got To Do With It?
Happy Valentine’s Day! Like many of you, I have had a love/hate relationship with this holiday. There were many years where I didn’t have a “lover” to shower me with red roses and heart-shaped candy conversations. Being married for over 20 years, I have been lucky to savor and enjoy those small sentiments as a celebration of love on Cupid’s Day. But I know one thing for sure: True love is not just a heart-shaped box of chocolates in mid-February. It’s the ongoing care and support for another person. It’s not just about having a “partner” on February 14th, because true love is limitless! If you do not have a “Valentine” this year, perhaps focus on expressing love to your “bestie” and celebrate “Galentine’s” day; or show love to a great friend and celebrate “Palentine’s Day.” No matter what: You are loved, and don’t you ever forget that! Focus on giving and receiving love—even from a pet—and bask in that warm and fuzzy feeling. Single or not, no matter the date, be sure to express and feel love every single day.
Love. It's a crazy thing. Can we really measure love? When you think of the word, love, what comes to mind? Romantic love probably comes to mind first: That euphoric, almost maddening self-occupation of someone else. Been there? I have. Even childhood crushes can trigger that feeling of romantic love. Or, a new relationship, when we feel so "madly" in love with someone else that we cannot think clearly for ourselves! Love is blind. Love hurts. Love heals. Love is love. All we need is love. Let love rule! So, when it comes to our overall happiness, "what's love got to do with it?”
Turns out, a lot, because there are so many ways to love another. Although we may have read too many romance novels or fairytales, watched too many novellas or Hallmark movies, or listened to too many sappy love songs, love is universal--and all-encompassing. Think about your love for your parents or grandparents. What does that type of love look and feel like? What about your kids? Your friends? Your siblings? Your pet? Love is so many things: Love is everything. Love is a verb. My dear friend and Positive Psychology teacher and mentor, Louis Alloro, lives by the mantra "I Choose Love." Love is a choice. So, let's explore all the ways we can choose to love each other. And better understand how we can increase our love for others--and ourselves.
And, since I recently saw Tina on Broadway, the real-life story of Tina Turner, and how she learned to choose love for herself, first, I recently watched her video from the 1980's "What Love's Got To Do With It," also the inspiration for the title of this section. And, to my surprise, the video opens up with a view of the Twin Towers and the awesome NYC cityscape along the Hudson River. When I see those towers, I can't help but to feel love for them--especially since they are no longer with us. We miss them; we still love them. While moving through grief after the loss of my beloved father, someone told me, "the love never ends. You can love him forever." That felt like such a relief! And so, I continue to love him…endlessly. So, whether it's love for people, places, or things—on Valentine’s Day or not—let’s choose love. Because love is always the answer.
Stay FRESH,
Julie