Happy Celebration of Normal Life Day!
I declare today to be "Celebration of Normal Life Day!". Yesterday, as everyone knows, was Valentine's day. A day to celebrate relationships... which makes all the singles out there feel incomplete and alone. Thus, today I want to commemorate the everyday moments that make relationships work and the wonderful people who are living their lives without complaints, regardless of their relationship status.
First, a shout out to the singles. Yesterday was my first Valentine's day in a relationship so I know the stigma of the day. Everyone else walks around with flowers and various other gifts while you reflect on what you might be doing wrong. Life is all about relationships... but relationships are not all about romance. Celebrate the love in your life that is present in friendship and realize that these people probably know you and care for you more than a romantic partner could. When I think about my past relationships (icky!) and compare them to the friends who weathered every storm in my life, stuck with me, and supported me... I realized that my life is filled with rich meaning and caring people. Don't stick a romance into your life that might take away from the tapestry of affection you are receiving for solid platonic relationships.
Second, to the romantic set. Yesterday I learned that the moments that really celebrate love in relationship *do not* look like the movies. My significant other bought me a book on management theory that I have been looking for, but couldn't find. While that is not a traditional "fuzzy bear" kind'a gift... it shouted loudly about his affection for me.
You see... he gets me. He knows what I am interested in and what I like to do in my free time and enjoys doing it with me. Those moments, when you look at the other person and realize that they have invested themselves and listen to you, are the moments that you celebrate being together. It isn't about wine, sex, flower, or candy... it is realizing that this other person truly knows who you are and would still choose to spend an evening (or lifetime) with you. Now that is romance!
Bottom line... Valentine's day can cheapen so many relationships in our lives. It makes one type of relationship seem more important than another and it ignores the every day behaviors that "great love" is based upon. You can't get a box or candy or a card that truly captures love, in all of its forms. So, here is to normal life day :). Go and buy slurpees and talk about laundry with someone that you love. Tell someone that really cares that you really care :). Collect moments... they are what full lives are made of.
Buggs
First, a shout out to the singles. Yesterday was my first Valentine's day in a relationship so I know the stigma of the day. Everyone else walks around with flowers and various other gifts while you reflect on what you might be doing wrong. Life is all about relationships... but relationships are not all about romance. Celebrate the love in your life that is present in friendship and realize that these people probably know you and care for you more than a romantic partner could. When I think about my past relationships (icky!) and compare them to the friends who weathered every storm in my life, stuck with me, and supported me... I realized that my life is filled with rich meaning and caring people. Don't stick a romance into your life that might take away from the tapestry of affection you are receiving for solid platonic relationships.
Second, to the romantic set. Yesterday I learned that the moments that really celebrate love in relationship *do not* look like the movies. My significant other bought me a book on management theory that I have been looking for, but couldn't find. While that is not a traditional "fuzzy bear" kind'a gift... it shouted loudly about his affection for me.
You see... he gets me. He knows what I am interested in and what I like to do in my free time and enjoys doing it with me. Those moments, when you look at the other person and realize that they have invested themselves and listen to you, are the moments that you celebrate being together. It isn't about wine, sex, flower, or candy... it is realizing that this other person truly knows who you are and would still choose to spend an evening (or lifetime) with you. Now that is romance!
Bottom line... Valentine's day can cheapen so many relationships in our lives. It makes one type of relationship seem more important than another and it ignores the every day behaviors that "great love" is based upon. You can't get a box or candy or a card that truly captures love, in all of its forms. So, here is to normal life day :). Go and buy slurpees and talk about laundry with someone that you love. Tell someone that really cares that you really care :). Collect moments... they are what full lives are made of.
Buggs