Put “You” on the List this Valentine’s Day

Every year in February, it is hard to miss the reminders that Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching.  Whether or not you celebrate the holiday, you are surrounded by the colors of pink and red, the flowers, the candy, and the cards every time you enter the grocery store or mall.  On February 14th, you may be expressing love to a number of people – your spouse or significant other, your children, your family members – and I encourage you to add another person to that list: you.

The concept of love can be seemingly elusive and is often focused externally – on our family members, a significant other, a pet, a hobby, a spouse, an object, etc.  To illustrate my point, take a look at the following definition of love from www.dictionary.com:

Love [luhv], noun, verb, loved, loving.

1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.

3. sexual passion or desire.

4. a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.

5. (used in direct address as a term of endearment, affection, or the like): Would you like to see a movie, love?

6. a love affair; an intensely amorous incident; amour.

7. sexual intercourse; copulation.

8. ( initial capital letter  ) a personification of sexual affection, as Eros or Cupid.

9. affectionate concern for the well-being of others: the love of one’s neighbor.

10. strong predilection, enthusiasm, or liking for anything: her love of books.

11. the object or thing so liked: The theater was her great love.

12. the benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God.

13. Chiefly Tennis. a score of zero; nothing.

14. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter L.

15. to have love or affection for: All her pupils love her.