Valentine's Day

Another Valentine's Day, another push by marketers to get you to buy the perfect gift, flowers, chocolates - consume! They emphasize romantic love. It is so the opposite of what the day should represent - a day to celebrate all kinds of love and to recognize that love is what binds us all and what could make this world a better place all year.



It should be a day of giving - not stuff - but of oneself and to celebrate the many important relationships in our lives - from parents to children, to friends and relatives, to pets and to nature.

Instead of the frenzy of shopping for the perfect card or gift I advocate slowing down, taking time with the people in your lives and a moment to say what you think all year - having you in my life makes my life better.

Thanks to my blog friends - your blogs enrich my life with your photos and stories. And to any of my face to face friends who may read this - you mean a lot to me.

Blue Orchid

Blue Orchid, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I have never seen a blue orchid before - this one has just been added to my collection of orchids - a valentine gift. So many people feel blue on Valentine's Day. I've had my share of partnerless years, though now I am fortunate to have a wonderful man in my life. . It's time to reframe Valentine's Day to make it more about love in a more generic way. Celebrate with a friend - friends are one of the more important relationships we have. Celebrate with a child who still sees everything with open-eyed wonder.

It's the old glass half empty vs glass half full. If we focus on the many positives in our lives - the many relationships that make our life full, then Valentine's Day is just another day in the year when we have the opportunity to share love with others.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my virtual friends who have brought a special richness to my life.