Valentines

This was my month to write an article for our Ward RS newsletter.  The obvious subject matter - considering the month - was valentines, etc.  The following is basically what I wrote in the limited space I had.  I have "spiced" it up with a few more thoughts I had, but chose not to elaborate on at the time.

February in the United States is the “Month of Hearts, Flowers & Candy.”  The popularity of this “holiday” (and I use the term loosely) has now spread to other countries and other continents.  One such country on a different continent that I personally know about is Germany.  They have sandwiched “valentines” into their Fasching season (Carnival/Mardi Gras).  It was very convenient for them since Weiberfastnacht (Ladies Night) falls on the 14th of February.  Along with all of the trickery (cutting off ties, etc.) women are allowed to do, it has also become a time of "love" and giving of gifts.  Not to let a chance to make money go by, business people all over the world are cashing in on the season of LOVE, hoping their advertisements either entice people to buy or make them feel guilty for not buying one of their products/gifts or another to give the loved ones in their lives. 

I remember a much more simple time when valentine cards were hand-made and carefully decorated with whatever could be found around the house that wasn't being used.  You know, things like macaroni blinged up with food coloring, stray buttons, pieces of ribbon or string that fell unwanted into the sewing basket.  Younger children would carefully sneak their precious valentines into the other children’s boxes at school, hoping not to get caught.  Valentines night, older children would take valentines to the homes of their friends and family members.  Sneak up the sidewalk to the door; carefully place their cards on the doorstep; ring the doorbell or knock on the door and run to hide from whomever answered.  It was great fun to see the expressions of joy on the faces of the children as they picked up the valentines and looked for their names on them.  Back then, valentines were never signed.  They were always given to others anonymously and out of sincere caring and/or love for the individual receiving the card.

I honestly don’t remember when these anonymous acts of caring moved into the commercial fast lane, but I do know it did not make Valentine’s Day a better, richer, or more rewarding celebration.  The Savior knew the true rewards of acts of love and how they could enrich our lives.  His simple words, “As I have loved you, love one another,” speak volumes and provide us with the key to a happier, more fulfilling life.  Simple (and perhaps anonymous) acts of kindness and love to others around us will bless us and those whom we serve more than we may ever realize in our lifetime.

This Valentine’s Day, consider taking a moment to perform an anonymous act of love for someone in your life.  If you can, do another anonymous act of love for someone you may not know too well and if you're really brave, someone you don't particularly like.  Now for the real challenge.  Once a month, do another anonymous act of love for that same someone you may not like - and each month thereafter - until your feelings begin to change about them.  Once you have accomplished this goal, choose another individual you've had difficulty getting along with and repeat the process.  Before long, you will realize that it doesn’t matter whether you like what the person does, you can still love and care about them as children of God.
 

This process is the beginning of developing true Charity in our lives.  The kind of charity, that when the Savior comes—and He will—if we are found possessing it, all will be well with us.  This promise alone is worth giving it a try.   Remember that your success in this venture lies in not expecting anything in return.  If the person you have chosen to do something for doesn’t like you back - the likelihood is by the time you beginning feeling differently about them - they still won’t like you.  That really is not your problem or concern.  Their feelings are something they will have to deal with on their own time.  On your time, you have achieved feeling better about them and even better about yourself!  GOOD LUCK!