Here we are again.
Another 14thof February, so yet another Valentine’s Day.
Looking back over Life of an Ordinary Aussie Woman, I’ve written about this day a few times. You can read those posts if you like by clicking the links…
'Valentine's Day 2014'
'To The One I Love This Valentine's Day' (2016)
'Your Love Never Fails: Valentine's Day 2017'
Each past post was written while I was unmarried…yet I sit here today as a married woman, so I’m forced to ponder if now writing on this topic would be like rubbing salt into open wounds for some people who read my blog. I would never want to do that as I know how it can be a challenging day at different times during our lives for many, many different reasons.
I do however love to use the blog as an encouragement for others and therefore I have once again decided to write down my thoughts on such a day as this…
I am sitting here thinking, “How much is too much?”
I know of people who refuse to celebrate Valentine’s Day remarking it’s a money making day for Hallmark…I sit here also as an Aussie and think of my friends who remark, “It’s an American Tradition and we’re not America!” I think of people who resent the day for how it makes them feel and I think of the people who declare, “I show love every day and don’t need a date on the calendar!” while pondering, how much is too much?
So I try to think objectively as 1. An Aussie, 2.Someone who knows what it’s like to be single and grieve loss on this day 3.As someone who also dislikes commercialism tainting special times (yes, especially Christmas!) and 4.As someone who also tries to show love EVERYDAY to others.
My thoughts quickly travel to other ‘special days’ such as Christmas and Easter, family holidays and birthdays. So I wonder do we really need to purposefully stop each year to reflect upon Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection? Do we really need to stop and purposefully spend quality time as a family each year, or eat birthday cake every time it’s someone’s birthday (that’s a lot of cake each year)? Do we really need a day to celebrate romantic love?
I am left with my own answer which is this.
No, we don’t need to do any of these things above, in fact sometimes our budget doesn’t allow it. Everyone is entitled to their own choice to keep whatever traditions they choose. However we cannot ignore that we do keep our traditions, as being purposeful and keeping cultural traditions is important to HELP show others we love them. Plus many things in life which are great fun and show we care, can be free or inexpensive when we take a little time and think creatively.
While Valentine’s Day has previously been about romantic love, here in Australia over the past decade or more, I’ve noticed a change. It seems Valentine’s Day has become more of a day for anyone to reach out to those they care about and show some love. I know of young people who use it a chance to show appreciation and friendship love to others. I know of single people who use it as a day to send messages of love and support to their other single friends. And I know of some people who still do extravagant romantic deeds on this day (like my husband who proposed this exact day last year)…
And again I ponder how much is too much?
I believe when it comes to love and support I say there’s no such thing as too much…
Yes, we can show love every day, (indeed we should)…Just as we can think of Jesus’ sacrifice and triumph every day and be thankful (indeed we should)…Yet it is good to take a moment, to stop and be purposeful in our actions…and this is how I personally feel about Valentine’s Day.
So, in short, reach out and tell someone you care this Valentine’s Day…They may just really need it.
Love Mel xx
