Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! And while this is a wonderful day to focus on romance and the love of your life, it is just a one-day reminder of the loving and thoughtful things that we need to be doing all year. Love is not something that just happens or is self-sustaining. Love is much like your garden. It requires care and feeding daily to provide a beautiful and bountiful return. You can weed your garden once a year, but that attention will only sustain it for a short time. Love is a daily commitment.
Recently, my husband and I were talking to someone who is going through a rather challenging divorce. And the subject of daily effort came up. And while we all had input and ideas, my husband summed it up best. He said, “You need to start each day thinking about what you should do during the day to earn and deserve your mate’s love.” This is not to say that you must buy gifts or earn his or her love by doing all of the housework or other chores. This means thinking about how you should treat your significant other today and every day to show your love and commitment to the relationship.
Flowers, candy, gifts, and cards a few times a year are not a substitute for daily attention and effort focused on your relationship and your love. Enjoy this day, and celebrate your love. But promise yourself and your mate the daily time and dedication that will provide you with a lifetime of love.
Gifts and chocolate on certain occasions don’t add up to love. Love needs maintenance like your car, or your motorcycle, or your investment, your business, your hobbies and all the things that you love to do. If you want it to last, give you a good return and give you happiness, it must be maintained daily. Use thoughts and consideration to clean up your love. Patience and forgiveness will help to make your love shine. Honesty and good communication will add years to your relationship and helps to make it last.