Valentine’s Day
Well today is Valentine’s Day. I don’t seem to understand it, but hey, some people like it. The only complaint I have is this holiday’s ability to destroy one form of beauty in order to fulfill traditional obligations and, maybe, create a smile on the other end. What I’m talking about is flowers, roses in particular. What is it about our society’s fascination to take advantage of beauty, especially natural beauty? We cut, and in effect kill, flowers in order to give them to the ones we care about. I don’t know if anyone thinks about this, but I really don’t understand it and prefer not to participate in it. Now I know girls like flowers every now and then, so buy a live plant, not grown just to be cut and passed around on just this one day. Then what? Are they forgotten and used like every other beauty in this world, just for one days smile? This exploitation gets imbedded into everything we do, especially Americans. I think this day should not be based on what gift to buy to show ones love, but to think what is the most selfless act I can do to show it’s not always about ‘me’. On this day we can focus our attention to the ones closest to us, the ones who have been there for us when we haven’t even noticed. That support we always expect but never recognized or the one person who is there no matter where you are. Valentines day should be the day of opening up to these people in your life, the ones you may have never noticed how much you actually depend on. We shouldn’t think of what to buy them (the quick and easy way of getting out of doing something meaningful), but think about how much they have contributed to where you are today and make them know how you feel. Whether it is just a simple hug, when you would otherwise shake hands, or a note you spent time to write. Think about selfless, not about you but them. Not about buying into the commercial and traditional ‘business’ of holidays, but of feeling in touch with your fellow human beings. The soul longs for this communication, and this day should be the day to let your heart speak, and not your head or ego.
Well today is Valentine’s Day. I don’t seem to understand it, but hey, some people like it. The only complaint I have is this holiday’s ability to destroy one form of beauty in order to fulfill traditional obligations and, maybe, create a smile on the other end. What I’m talking about is flowers, roses in particular. What is it about our society’s fascination to take advantage of beauty, especially natural beauty? We cut, and in effect kill, flowers in order to give them to the ones we care about. I don’t know if anyone thinks about this, but I really don’t understand it and prefer not to participate in it. Now I know girls like flowers every now and then, so buy a live plant, not grown just to be cut and passed around on just this one day. Then what? Are they forgotten and used like every other beauty in this world, just for one days smile? This exploitation gets imbedded into everything we do, especially Americans. I think this day should not be based on what gift to buy to show ones love, but to think what is the most selfless act I can do to show it’s not always about ‘me’. On this day we can focus our attention to the ones closest to us, the ones who have been there for us when we haven’t even noticed. That support we always expect but never recognized or the one person who is there no matter where you are. Valentines day should be the day of opening up to these people in your life, the ones you may have never noticed how much you actually depend on. We shouldn’t think of what to buy them (the quick and easy way of getting out of doing something meaningful), but think about how much they have contributed to where you are today and make them know how you feel. Whether it is just a simple hug, when you would otherwise shake hands, or a note you spent time to write. Think about selfless, not about you but them. Not about buying into the commercial and traditional ‘business’ of holidays, but of feeling in touch with your fellow human beings. The soul longs for this communication, and this day should be the day to let your heart speak, and not your head or ego.
2 comments:
good stuff mike. i miss you
it's a holiday created by hallmark. stop reading into things so much and burn down all the trees. i love renewable resources, don't you?
yeah, look it up.
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