From My Heart: Happy Valentine's & Friendship Day
Hello lovelies!
This is my first post from another new series, "From my heart" whereby I share heartfelt thoughts and stories.
It's the time of the year again - Valentine's Day! I'm sure that many of you have a Valentine and some of you (like me) may not have one this year. But before you close my blog and go "another person reminding me about my non-existent love life", please hear me out.
Valentine's Day isn't just about dating and spending time with your significant one but it is also about spending time with the people you love who have a special place in your life and heart - your family, friends and loved ones. Across the world, Valentine's Day carries a different connotation in different countries - it celebrates not only love between couples but also friendship, family and kinship.
During my later primary / elementary school years, we were taught by our form teacher that Valentine's Day signifies the celebration the love between family and friends as well as appreciating what others have done for you. I remember that I used to dread Valentine's Day as it meant that I had to write about 42 personalised handwritten notes to my classmates thanking them for their friendship (which is no mean feat for a 10 to 12 year old).
However, as we grew older, the popular culture started influencing and convincing us that Valentine's Day is about love and that being single is portrayed as something sad and lonely. Being single is neither sad nor lonely. Instead, being single grants us the freedom to explore the world, to do whatever our heart desires as well as to get to know and love ourselves. We shouldn't focus on trying to get a partner but instead, we should focus on what we already have as well as self-improvement. If you don't love or respect yourself, who will?
Furthermore, more than often, our families and (true) friends do not get enough recognition that they deserve - they are always there for you no matter what that we may take them for granted at times. Take a step back and spent more time with your family and friends. Take the time to write them a note or a sweet gesture to brighten up their day. Let them know that everything they had done for you is noticed and appreciated, let them know that they are loved and cherished by you. We may think that since our family and friends know us that well, they would know what we are thinking. However, more often than not, they (even our parents or siblings) may not know what we are thinking.
So, let's do something new this year.
1) Let's go away from the conventional way of giving gifts. Instead of going for the conventional gifts from the gift shops, why not make handmade DIY personalised gifts? This conveys and emphasises on your sincerity as well as how much you actually pay attention, observe, notice and know about your date/family/spouse/friends. I always love handmade gifts as they carry a personal touch and sincerity that store bought gifts rarely have.
2) Let's surprise our families and friends with a little note (telling them that they are remembered, appreciated and loved as well) and maybe with a little gift to brighten up their day. Even though I feel that we should do this more often, it often slips our minds in the hustle and bustle or school and/or work life. Why not we make our families and friends a priority this year? Together, we can make a difference in our loved ones lives. Life is fragile and we shouldn't take every day and everyone in our lives for granted. After all, they were brought into our lives for a reason :)
Valentine's Day isn't just about dating and spending time with your significant one but it is also about spending time with the people you love who have a special place in your life and heart - your family, friends and loved ones. Across the world, Valentine's Day carries a different connotation in different countries - it celebrates not only love between couples but also friendship, family and kinship.
During my later primary / elementary school years, we were taught by our form teacher that Valentine's Day signifies the celebration the love between family and friends as well as appreciating what others have done for you. I remember that I used to dread Valentine's Day as it meant that I had to write about 42 personalised handwritten notes to my classmates thanking them for their friendship (which is no mean feat for a 10 to 12 year old).
However, as we grew older, the popular culture started influencing and convincing us that Valentine's Day is about love and that being single is portrayed as something sad and lonely. Being single is neither sad nor lonely. Instead, being single grants us the freedom to explore the world, to do whatever our heart desires as well as to get to know and love ourselves. We shouldn't focus on trying to get a partner but instead, we should focus on what we already have as well as self-improvement. If you don't love or respect yourself, who will?
Furthermore, more than often, our families and (true) friends do not get enough recognition that they deserve - they are always there for you no matter what that we may take them for granted at times. Take a step back and spent more time with your family and friends. Take the time to write them a note or a sweet gesture to brighten up their day. Let them know that everything they had done for you is noticed and appreciated, let them know that they are loved and cherished by you. We may think that since our family and friends know us that well, they would know what we are thinking. However, more often than not, they (even our parents or siblings) may not know what we are thinking.
So, let's do something new this year.
1) Let's go away from the conventional way of giving gifts. Instead of going for the conventional gifts from the gift shops, why not make handmade DIY personalised gifts? This conveys and emphasises on your sincerity as well as how much you actually pay attention, observe, notice and know about your date/family/spouse/friends. I always love handmade gifts as they carry a personal touch and sincerity that store bought gifts rarely have.
2) Let's surprise our families and friends with a little note (telling them that they are remembered, appreciated and loved as well) and maybe with a little gift to brighten up their day. Even though I feel that we should do this more often, it often slips our minds in the hustle and bustle or school and/or work life. Why not we make our families and friends a priority this year? Together, we can make a difference in our loved ones lives. Life is fragile and we shouldn't take every day and everyone in our lives for granted. After all, they were brought into our lives for a reason :)
HAPPY VALENTINE'S AND FRIENDSHIP DAY!!!
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