February 14th is Valentine’s Day, the most divisive holiday of all. Some love it while others hate it. No news there.
But I had a thought.
What if we transform the couple’s celebration of exclusive, romantic love, to a day of inclusivity? Okay. I’m not talking about threesomes, but what if we twist the term, refocus the lens, and define it differently?
How?
We could celebrate a day of sharing the love by sending out positive vibes to everyone we meet. There are a bazillion ways we could do that.
- Pay it forward. On Valentine’s Day, put yourself out there to help someone who’s struggling.
- Pay it backward. Buy coffee for the person behind you in line.
- Go out of your way to use manners. Hold the door. Offer your seat. Say “Please,” and “Thank you.”
- Make a few sincere compliments and someone might feel good about themselves.
- Smile. I promise it won’t kill you and you’ll be surprised at the reaction, no matter where you live.
- When driving, slow down. Use your blinkers. Let others into your lane. Why not go all out and actually stop at a stop sign.
- Share the love with friends and family. Think outside the box. Plan an activity or have a get-together.
- Share the love with yourself. Indulge in a treat or take some personal time doing something you love. Something that says, “I am so good at what I do and I appreciate myself.”
Instead of the FOMO (fear of missing out), on Valentine’s Day, you will feel like you did your part to share the love. Maybe you’ll will even have a story to tell when everything goes back to normal on the 15th. Who knows?
If everyone would share the love on February 14th, Valentine’s Day could become the best holiday of all!
Do you have any other ideas for “Sharing the Love?”
Follow me on Twitter at @susielindau and share your ideas at #ShareTheLove.
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This is a great idea!
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Thanks Gibber! Share the post and share the love!
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You know it!
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What a terrific idea to share the love Susie! But it would be my hope to share it every day with different acts of kindness because in today’s world, one day isn’t quite enough. I mean, look how fast each day passes by. And each of us deserves love and affection each and every day. When it comes to love, we can never receive or give enough of it. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! (Hope you’re feeling better Susie!) 😊
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Thanks Karen!
My hope is the endorfin rush of doing simple acts of kindness might become addictive I have such a small voice, but hope somehow, it catches on!
I am feeling better, thanks. It’s not the strides I thought I’d be taking by now, but I’ll take the baby steps. 🙂
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Great ideas, Susie. I’m really going to focus on this. I have something to add. How about passing a book along to someone else? I love the coffee idea. That had always made me smile.
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And then let’s make every day Valentine’s Day!
There’s a famous motivational guru who suggests sending love in the direction of those you encounter. Not in a creepy way or a “Hey, Sailor” way. I had gotten into that habit and then fell out of it. This week I was sitting at a traffic light and a woman crossed the street in front of me and I couldn’t figure out her story. She may have been a street person who had somehow obtained a stylish new handbag or maybe that was entirely wrong. I found myself trying to figure this out and then I stopped my own thinking and remembered to send love in her direction. I felt better and I hope she, know matter who she is or what her story, had a beautiful day. And I hope you do, too.
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Thanks so much, Karen! I hope you have a fabulous day too. I wish I could have gotten the word out about Sharing the Love. I try to do that every day too, but I think everyone gets caught up in their daily lives.
That is so wonderful that you put out good vibes to that lady. I do that whenever I see someone struggling. I think it works!
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We have a very strict security policy and I can’t read blogs at work, there’s limited wireless on the train, and my home computer is in its final days, so my reading/commenting time is limited to whatever might be on my screen when I have a minute to check in by phone. Trying to catch up now.
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Thanks for taking the time to stop by!
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This could become a love epidemic.
And there’s nothing wrong with threesomes…in the form of a hug. Especially if you don’t touch the naughty bits.
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Right??? I think it’s worth the effort to share the love. I hope everyone becomes infected.
Thanks for the tweet out!
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You are welcome. And I’m posting a #ShareTheLove post and linking to your post and Hippie Cahier, when she posts later today. Thanks for the love-ly idea. *grin*
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For better or worse, here it is. Thanks for the inspiration, gals: http://wp.me/p1wS2d-31N
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Fantastic! I’m out and about Sharing the Love!!!!
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Awwww! You are the coolest especially when your over here and not studying that gif on your blog… That would warm even the coolest person up!
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Did you hear about that massive snowstorm across the northeast? I’m in the middle of it. I need something to keep me distracted.
I call it A Study In Karl.
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It’s “burned” into my retinas….
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One year I asked my husband to forgo the overpriced florist bouquet and instead arranged to have flowers delivered anonymously to a recently-widowed woman from church. That was truly the best Valentine’s Day memory I have. I hope it made her day…it sure made mine!
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That is the most amazing story ever!!!! You’ve got the Shae the Love thing down. 🙂
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Great suggestions, Susie ~ for Valentine’s Day and every day. How about adding joining in the #OneBillionRising and #V-day calls to action? We’re all in this together … bring those famous dancing feet of yours and we’ll boogie together! https://www.facebook.com/vday?fref=ts
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Hey Pat! Thanks for sharing the blog love! I stopped by and it was quite the rager. All kinds of great prizes being given away. Thanks!
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I’ve always been curious about threesomes, but that’s as far as I’ve gone with that. 🙂 I’m paying it backwards by coming here a little late. ‘Been enjoying my trip and soaking up mucho sun. What a great list that we should do always and not just on VD. Everyday might be too much but perhaps once a week. I hope you had a fabulous VD with your amor. 🙂
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Thanks! It’s good to hear you’re enjoying your trip while warming up your aching bones. 🙂
We had a great day of Sharing the Love! We celebrated with the kids and my sister and then went out for dinner. I am exhausted, but happy today! I have always shared the love daily, but writing the post is making me super aware of others. 🙂
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You’re a sweetheart Susie! Hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
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Thanks Phil! We celebrated with family. It was fabulous. I hope yours rocked too!
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I love this idea!
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Thanks, Lydia! It’s an older post that I updated today. I’m so glad you found it! Happy almost Valentine’s Day!
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I love this post so much I am going to share it! xoxoxo
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Thanks so much for the blog love!! ❤️
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I will read this post with my daughters once they will get back from school!! So deep and educational!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Imagine if everyone read it. Valentines Day would really rock!!!
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It really would!
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