Slice of Sunshine: Beyond Bonbons and Bouquets

There are many Valentine’s Day skeptics, including right here in my Slice of Sunshine readership. 

I get it.

Valentine’s Day is another example of how, when people are forced to do something—whether is “be celebratory” on New Year’s Eve, or “prove your love” on Valentine’s Day—it kind of defeats the purpose. Add into that the over-commercialization (“Say it with diamonds!”), the implicit judgment for those who may not be in a relationship, even when it is by choice (“How sad to be alone on the day of love”) and, for those in relationships, the high likelihood of falling short on the scale of demonstration (“You only got me a card?”) and you would think I would be firmly in the anti-Valentine’s Day camp.

But I am not. Here’s my take. 

Quote by Rumi with a heart shaped leaf background "Love is the whole thing. We are only pieces."
Love is the whole thing. We are only pieces. -Rumi

I never want the people in my life to feel like they are taken for granted. While I try to be consistent about sharing my love and appreciation for the folks in my world, sometimes I need a nudge.

Enter: external prompt, aka Valentine’s Day.

For me, having a reminder to take time to think about love, what does it mean to me (hint: it’s closer to bell hooks than Hallmark) and how have I been expressing it, is helpful.

Sure, I could just set a reminder once a month to “Send ‘I love you’ messages”—and perhaps I should do that too. But in the interim, I plan to continue to jump on the bandwagon and take the opportunity to let the people I care about know they have a place in my heart.

And that includes all of you, dear readers. Including the Valentine’s Day skeptics. Sending you much love and appreciation, today and every day. 💗

blast from the past

“It is another tool to allow us to be actively present in our days…for as Annie Proulx wisely reminds us, ‘How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives’.”

Slice of Sunshine, July 22, 2021

Text…


Receive the “Slice of Sunshine” in your inbox by subscribing to the Department of Practical Sunshine newsletter.

Text…


Try it!

Text…