The Messy Middle

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Valentines Day is for everyone {said the single gal}

Valentines DayWith Valentine’s Day soon upon us, it would be easy to rant against Hallmark and other marketers. (Sorry Hallmark, I do so enjoy your commercials!). But all they’ve done is put a message out there …we’re the ones who’ve bought into it.

Guess what, Valentine’s Day is about so much more than romantic love, Cupid, or “rotic” gatherings (when single women get together without a “man”). At its essence, it is about love. Yes, yes, I’m sure the origins are about blah, blah, blah, but right here in 2013, let’s take back Valentine’s Day!

Here are three ideas for anyone to put the LOVE back in the day:

1.Paul reminds us that love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Choose one attributes of love that you want to focus on this week. This book reminded me of how “manically verb centered” love is.

2. Make a list of the people in your life and be reminded of how blessed you are.

3. Tell those important to you that you love them. I spent time recently with a friend who is an only child and has lost both of her parents in the last two year. People will die, grow old, or move away. Don’t live with regrets, tell them.

4. And a bonus one! Why, because we can never have enough love. Sending personalized postcards is a great way to communicate without taking much time or money. I use http://www.amazingmail.com/ (formerly premium postcards). Last year for Valentine’s Day a friend helped me take four photos – in one I was pointing at my eye, then pointing at you, in the third using my hands to make a heart, and the fourth my arms really wide open. Thus the recipients could spell out “I love you this much!” Amazing Mail is just that (and fun!).

So, dear marketers, I know you’re just trying to earn a living and I respect that. But I’m trying to live a richer life and part of that involves a broader definition of love than the one you’re peddling. I’m not buying it.

Will you join me in putting more love out there?

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9 Comments February 10, 2013

About Amy

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet.

Comments

  1. Mia says

    February 10, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    Hi Amy
    As I was reading your suggestions I was thinking of telling the source of all love, our Pappa God how much we love Him and spending extra time alone with Him!!
    Much love
    Mia

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth says

    February 11, 2013 at 7:19 am

    Amy,
    Just want you to know that your postcards have become part of our Valentine’s Day decorations and are hanging in sequence in our house. We love you, too!
    Elizabeth (sister, and frequent postcard recipient)

    Reply
  3. David Rupert says

    February 11, 2013 at 10:51 pm

    Yay for sending postcards! There’s nothing better than a personal note in the mail…

    Reply
  4. Margaret Feinberg says

    February 12, 2013 at 2:22 am

    Amy, I love these ideas!

    Reply
  5. Mark Allman says

    February 14, 2013 at 2:49 am

    I think we let so many opportunities go by the wayside where we could step up and tell a person what they mean to us. I know how encouraging that can be. It can make a persons whole week. I appreciate what you do Amy. Thanks for your sacrifice; for your willingness to do that which is tough to do; for impacting lives around you.

    Reply
  6. Cynthia says

    February 15, 2013 at 6:49 am

    In keeping with the tradition my parents started when my bros and I were little, we’re having pizza for dinner at our house :) Gives Marco, me and the boys a chance to hangout and be a family. The simple things matter most.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      February 15, 2013 at 8:01 am

      Amen on the simple things! :)

      Reply
  7. Susan says

    February 16, 2013 at 7:05 pm

    I love your ideas on this post! I have been reading your blog tonite, found you thru WOH, and have been encouraged. Thank you for writing, sister!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A love story told in broken bones {vintage} // The Messy Middle says:
    February 14, 2014 at 6:52 am

    […] year I wrote Valentine’s Day is for everyone {said the single gal}. The post below first appeared two years ago on Valentine’s Day, but it was written several […]

    Reply

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