According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word 'love' has nine meanings. With an abundance of ways to interpret the idea or the simple four letter word, everyone is able to take it through their own point of view. While I hope that I will be able to hear some of your ideas on 'What love means to you', I am going to start with what I have seen throughout the years.
In honor of the beloved, as well as dreaded holiday of Valentine's Day, I believe this topic is appropriate! What better way to get into the holiday spirit? No, no this blog is not going to be about my love life, because let's be real, according to my mother, I am WAY too young for that, so that is nonexistent! This is going to be about the ways in which I see love on a daily bases, that does not involve my nonexistent love life, because let's be real again, that is not ALL what Valentines is about.
Quick side note, Valentine's Day is my lovely Aunt's Birthday, so SUPER Happy Birthday to her. (She is incredible in case you do not know her)
Back on track.
The 'way' I see love doesn't always have to follow in the same form. Daily I see my mother's love of simply sending three kissy face emojis in the morning, or I see it in the smiling faces of the cafeteria attendant when I enter the Caf for breakfast. In some minds, a simple smile doesn't have an outstanding effect, but just put yourself in a situation where no one smiled. That would put you in a chipper mood, wouldn't it? No, it would not. While you may not be having a FABULOUS day yourself, it might help to look up when you are walking, and smile at the others walking by. Try it sometime, and see if that makes you feel some sense of belonging, or just brighten up your day.
In these past few days I have been giving my roommate a 'Birthday Countdown" gift. Since she is during 19, I have been celebrating 19 days until her 19th birthday. Due to the fact that today is Valentine's Day and 17 days before her birthday, I gave her 17 reasons why I love her as my roommate. One of the top reasons was "her allowing me to excitingly wish her a Good Morning when I wake up". Again, this may seem like a silly reason, but let's just put this out there, but neither of us are morning people. Although I try to wait until she is functioning a bit to say good morning, (because I am trying to not get killed by her) it truly helps me start the day off right with a positive and encouraging attitude. Even if she hates it beyond belief, she knows that is how I show my "love".
Love is shown in the classroom by the professors as they try to engage the students in the discussion. Yes, we have all been in that classroom that it takes all of the willpower in the world to stay awake, but the professors are trying. One of my professors, who is someone I admire, always states that she loves her job because everyday she is able to be with the students. She expresses that she isn't making millions, she doesn't drive the fanciest car, but what she does have is the students in the classroom. That to me proved the love that the professors have for us as students. Although it may not seem that way when preparing for the final exam or when we accidentally forget the homework, but they express love each and everyday.
This act of love can be a tricky concept at times. People either express it through words, touch, actions, or some might not know the ways they express it. I have always been fond of the way my mother expresses her love to her cake customers. When she full to the brim of orders, she always sneakily finds a way to make sure she can please someone by accepting their order as well. Yes, this may seem a bit odd since why would she want to make herself work harder and become stressed, but that is the way she shows love. Her creativity is endless and she has such a passion for making someone's image become a reality. If the customer has left the house amazed by the work, she knows she has done her job. So that is why she has a hard time saying no to anyone. Placed above our home telephone, in big bold letters, it is word 'NO'. It serves as a constant reminder that she can say the word 'no', but you guessed it, she never follows that. I have enjoyed eating the love she bakes, as well as I have enjoyed testing my own hand at it. I believe I gained the enjoyment of baking, or experimenting from my mothers love of baking. Although when you ask her she just mentions the mess I have made previously in the kitchen, I love sharing the cookies, or desserts with everyone around. I know I am never able to live up to the delicious taste of my mothers baking, but the love I have for baking my own treats is enough for me.
Again, I feel that I am not getting the point I am trying to make. Starting this post I had a nice outline created in my head on what exactly to write, and it actually sounded (to me) pretty decent. Now everything is a bit messy, but this will just create a nice scavenger hunt for the real meaning behind this.
What I am trying to say is that no one needs to feel like they need to "dread" Valentine's Day. What is bad about love? The love that I expressed above is love I see everyday. Why does the idea of love simple just have to be with two people? Why can't it be through the way we speak or act in our daily lives. Why isn't the main idea of love viewed in the way we help out a neighbor or the smiles we give. I believe that instead of just wishing on having a "significant other" to share the day with, just emphasize all of the spectacular 'lovely' things that are already placed in your life, because I bet they are amazing.
So today, along with all of the other days of the year, cherish the love in your life. No matter what form it comes in, everyday has love in it, so enjoy the goodness.
