My classmate, Nike did something that shocked me. It was the eve of Valentine’s and she gave out presents to every member of the class. What endeared me to her was that these weren’t generic presents. She actually took the time to say something about each person. For me, that was a true expression of love.

 Nike inspired me because she did not expect anything in return. She knew that in the end, those who loved her would still love her and those who hated her would still hate her. But in that moment, she touched hearts that needed to be touched. Do you remember that line from the movie Frozen? ‘only an act of true love will thaw a frozen heart’? Well, it’s true! And true love doesn’t have to be a lover. I learned that from Nike.

Valentine’s Day is often accompanied by unrealistic expectations and overwhelming pressures. It doesn’t even help that we’re online watching the stories of all the filtered happy ever afters. The pressure affects both the single and the dating. It’s like, hey I’ve got to get the perfect gift this year! And for the single ones, in that moment, it’s like these sappy lovers should get a room and stay out of our bland timelines. A part of us loathes love, while the other part craves the whole attention VD day presents. Admittedly, the pressure is killing!

But it doesn’t have to be.

VD is a day of love yeah? So who says we’ve only got to show love to our ‘loved ones’? Remember the author of love? Well, God? Yes. To take the pressure off this day, we need to first tap into the source of love. You can’t give what you don’t have! If you don’t have God’s love in your heart, you can’t give it out. I’ve noticed how selfish and self-conceited love can get where we only think about what’s in it for us. What are we getting on Val’s day? It really doesn’t have to be this way.

Once you connect to the source of love, you’ll realize that love doesn’t seek its own gains, instead, it cares for the next person. Nike may not have gotten any present from the class, but she showed love. That’s what truly matters.

Next step is to use the abundance of love you’ve gotten from God to love the next person! They don’t have to deserve it. They don’t have to be dating you. Pay attention to those you haven’t paid much attention to, feed the hungry, reach out to the sick, and give out presents if you can. It doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture. It’s in the little things like sending a text, dropping a well-thought note, buying someone’s dinner- whatever it takes to put a smile on the next person’s face.

 

Please take the pressure off of those you love. They don’t have to break the bank to get you that perfect gift. Hell! You don’t even need to get those new shoes the chic from Instagram got. And if he still doesn’t propose today? Babygirl, don’t sweat it! Take the pressure off Val’s and channel that love to those around you.

At the end of it, you will be fulfilled; just as Nike was. It’s a fulfilment that comes from knowing you showed true love, expecting nothing in return. Go show some love!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Love,

M.