Valentine's Day... Yuck.

I can hear it now...

*Gasp* "What did that title say? Valentine's Day, yuck?!"

"What is wrong with you?"

"How could you not like Valentine's Day? It's all about love."

....Ugh

{ Begin Rant }

I dislike Valentine's Day. Okay, I strongly dislike Valentine's Day.

Why do we put so much emphasis on buying in order to show affection? For that matter why are we only emphasizing our affection one day out of the year?

If you ask me, which you probably wouldn't so I'll just go ahead and volunteer, it is a purely commercial ritual. Our desire to "do the right thing" or show someone how much we "really care" is exploited through guilt so as to "inspire" us to spend money on frivolous things in order to "earn/show" someone affection. If we do not, clearly we must not really care, right?

Wrong.

Since when does spending money = actual love? Sure, spending money is a necessity in order to provide shelter, food, water, other various amenities and for the procuring of goods. Why is that a requirement for love? A person can spend all kinds of money on someone and not love them at all. Conversely, a person can have no money to spend and yet love someone greatly.

Why not show the people you care about how much they mean to you every day? Why not demonstrate said affection in how you treat them, how you talk to them, possibly by doing the unthinkable and setting your phone down and spending time with them. *gasp*

Actions speak louder than words. Showing someone you care by daily being respectful, helping them, encouraging them, supporting them, building them up, listening, even just being there for them conveys volumes more on how you feel about them than buying some dismembered flowers, a box of candy or some bling.

*Disclaimer... I am not saying that blessing people with things that bring them joy is bad, what I am saying is that material items, or how much money you spend on them for one day, isn't what shows someone that you truly care.

{ End Rant }

This year, do something different. If you love someone don't just tell them once or buy them something, show them by the way you treat them. Invest the time to show them how much they mean to you by genuinely listening, lending a hand, offering support, encouraging them, and spending quality time with them.

Bless and be blessed, y'all.