Here on the last stretch of the A-to-Z blogging challenge, we’re veering into the valley and finding our way to the letter V. I’m creating a manifesto of things I believe and delight me, based on unusual words.
Today I’m writing about the word valentine. Admittedly valentine isn’t really an unusual word, but I do love it and it belongs in my manifesto AND there are a couple of definitions that aren’t exactly widely known so I’m claiming them to fit my criteria of unusual.
We of course know valentine commonly as a greeting or gift especially sent to a sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. But it also means:
- Something expressing uncritical praise or affection (such as a movie or a piece of writing)
- Said of birds, to sing to a mate
Bonus points for me, because Valentine also happens to be a name that appears a number of times on my family tree. So I guess I can literally claim kinship to the word.
I’m on a not-so-secret mission to spread love into the world widely and encourage everyone else to as well.
I certainly believe we could do a far better job in our world living as heart-centered beings devoted to loving-kindness. Can you imagine how different everything might look under the pervasive expression of love and appreciation?
What if we all sent love letters to one another? What would it be like to be more generous with our love? Doesn’t everyone deserve a little reminder they are seen and recognized, loved and appreciated?
And have you ever written a love letter to yourself? Do it! You deserve it.
What if sending an any-time valentine could be a genuine opportunity to celebrate yourself and every other being on this planet? What if it could be an opportunity to look at what makes your heart sing – what makes it burst open joyfully – what makes you walk a little more boldly shining your light a bit more brightly? And what if once we had a lovely fill of honoring, celebrating, and delighting in ourselves, we did the same for each other? What if we found a way to practice staying heart-centered for an entire day? Wouldn’t that be wonderful?!
Not only do I like the idea of valentines defined as any and every day love notes, but I also to happen to actually love vintage valentine cards as well. Here is one of my absolute favorites.
On this my self-proclaimed celebration of love day, I send you a cart-load of blessings and good wishes. May your heart be filled with the knowing that you are loved and appreciated for the beauty of who you truly are. In all your strengths, in all your foibles, in all your delightful eccentricities; for how you navigate your world in all your good days and in all your bad ones; for how you shine and shimmer from your very core and send that beautiful energy outward. You are loved. And my heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation for the connection you have to my life, to my heart, to me.
I believe in the power of a valentine. I believe that when we see, and acknowledge, and truly appreciate the connections of those who circle in our world most closely, it becomes easier to extend that awareness, appreciation, and loving-kindness in ever-increasing circles outward.
What about you? Doesn’t it delight you to know that birds sing valentines to their mates? What are you loving about yourself today? Who deserves to hear a word of love from you? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
This is so lovely Deborah thank you – a pick-me-up just when I need it. I think I’ll try a love letter to myself, it would be a good exercise for us all to do. We were away in the wilderness recently and it was delightful to hear the animals talking, cooing, communicating with each other. Thank you for all your lovely good wishes, and I extend the same to you.
I’m looking forward to hearing more about your wilderness adventure Susan. And thank you for the kind wishes. May your week be filled with delightful little valentines.
Lovely vintage images and matching love-centered thoughts.
Thanks Stephanie. So glad you stopped by.
Lovely post. My favorite valentine is my grandson – born on Valentines Day.
Oh how perfect!