The Art of Loving

We have all loved; maybe not been in love but loved nonetheless. And yes, before you even think about that question, these are two different contexts.

I’m quite embarrassed to bring this up, but I remember during our orientation we were made to choose topics at random and we had to give a short speech on the spot. I got the topic “love”. I felt embarrassed and a little bit shy as soon as I saw what my topic was. I didn’t know what I would say about love in front of more than 2 dozen people. I related that love was not only limited to the love in relationships but to love in friendship, families and others. But I could not go beyond that and I really regret it. I wish I could have said more on the topic.

Keeping that incident aside, here is why I am bringing up the topic of love again: it’s the month of love! And while it may seem like just another month to the singles, it is not. February has Valentine’s Day *wink *wink. I don’t know if it is just me but I don’t really seem to remember the order of the valentine week as they call it these days. I don’t know who came up with the idea or the existence of it either. Frankly, if you ask me, it just seems like another business trick. And the idea is absurd. But here’s my question, why is Valentine’s Day only about your significant other? And since when? Is the month of love only limited to your S.O?

I would say not. Why don’t we involve everyone we love during this month? I know what you must be thinking: that I must be a single person and so is the reason I am saying so.  Your thoughts are justified; so is your eye rolling, but hear me out, will you? We can hear phrases like I love her most or he is family almost every single day. But how do you justify what you say? How do you show your love? Is only saying that you love them enough?

No, not at all. In fact, you should also:

Trust them wholeheartedly: a good friend of mine once stated to me that I trust you is great than I love you and I couldn’t agree more with her. We might not always trust the people we love but we always love the people we trust. Trust them when you hear their regrets, trust them when they say didn’t mean to do something.

Give them time even in your busiest schedules: even a few minutes on the phone!

Remember the little things they tell you: it would mean a lot, to know that someone still remembers something that you randomly told them, something about their day or perhaps something about their likes and dislikes.

Ask about their day: no matter how long it was!

Ask if they’ve had something to eat: it truly shines the care you have for them.

Do things unasked: something as simple as washing the dishes because you understand they are tired could make all the difference.

Really listen when they have something important to say: pay attention to what they have to say, let them know this is important to you too.

Celebrate with them: sometime it’s more about them than you.

Surprise them: remember the important dates. Give them little surprises.

Would these activities only be limited to your partner? Again, I would say not. But that is up to you. You would know better. February comes once a year but the art of loving lives all year long.