February Events: Valentine's Day and more.
Other than the interesting weather that we have experienced back here on the east coast there are a number of events that are of note this month.
First of all we just had our Valentine’s Day celebration this past weekend. Don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is actually a day to show and celebrate “Love”. Now our consumer-driven market economy leads us to believe that this day is just for us to buy chocolates and jewelry to show our love for our husbands, wives, sweethearts, and lovers. So, what about those out there who are “between relationships”, or for whatever reason they don’t feel they have someone to share this celebration with? Well I have a news flash to share with you: Forget the medial and marketing Gurus out there for a minute and realize that this day is truly all about showing that you care for someone you love. That could be a parent or a friend. It could be a relative that you haven’t seen or spoken to in a long time. It could mean that you go to lunch with a friend, and catch up on what is new in “their world”.
You see it is all about showing and sharing your love for someone. For those of you who feel that you have no one to share with, believe me there is someone else out there who feels the same way. It may be someone who is forgotten about in a nursing facility, or someone in a hospital who hasn’t had any visitors. It could mean that you show and share your love by donating your time at a homeless shelter “serving” those who are temporarily less fortunate than you. Yes, you may need to stick your neck out a little to do some of this. So what?, After all this is about someone else not, about you. Although having said that I will tell you that you will receive far more as the giver than the person on the other end will as the receiver. That however is not the reason that you do what you do of course!
Think for a moment how your simple “act of kindness” can affect the individual on the receiving end. From a Holistic standpoint I can tell you that you will immediately cause a positive flow of positive nerve energy. That’s right you will change the other person’s physiology. That person will have not only have positive neurologic changes, but also positive hormonal changes, his blood chemistry will change. You may see a change in his posture, facial expression, and even skin “color”. The color change can be attributed to changes in the person’s circulation, heart rate and blood pressure. Isn’t that cool? And all of this because you showed your love for another.
Remember that “if you treat people as if they were what they ought to be, you allow them to become what they are capable of becoming.”
It’s not too late to make today or tomorrow your Valentine’s Day.
There was one other thing of interest that occurred this month.That was what we now call “Presidents’ Day”. As an individual who has always loved history and reading biographies I feel that there are a few facts you should know about a couple of our presidents who I have studied and from whom I have learned so much. First on my list would have to be Abraham Lincoln. If you ever think that you are having a bad day pick up a bio of “Honest Abe” and see what that man endured. Check out how many elections he lost before he finally won one. Yet he kept on trying. Check out the loss of loved ones that this man endured, yet he persevered. He brought forth the “Emancipation Proclamation” and ended slavery in this country once and for all. Unfortunately he never saw the 13th amendment added to our Constitution since that did not occur until December 18, 1865, which was after President Lincoln’s assassination.
Next on our list must be the “Father of our Nation” G.W. George Washington was hurled into command of the colonial troops in the American Revolution. He also endured many great trials during the revolution, which he overcame and ultimately he was able to lead our fledgling nation through his term as our first President.
As we celebrate our Special Days this month think of some of the trials that others have gone through, especially the two Great men that I referenced above. Remember how their “Think Right” had to be working in order for them to accomplish what they were able to.