Inspirational Change
Valentines Day ... call me cynical but ...
Alison Williams - Monday, February 13, 2012
So Valentines day is upon us ... Call me cynical but it just doesn't do it for me!! Yes I know, I remember the heady days of my youth when I'd wait for the postman to see if any secret admirer had sent me a card ... and sometimes he had I'll have you know!! Then I progressed to the point where a few times I got taken out for really nice meals in really posh, very overpriced, very overcrowded restaurants ... and that's when the cynicism started to creep in.
I think what really bugs me is the sense of expectation built up into a frenzy by the marketing giants. Think of all those poor unsuspecting blokes that buy the odd bunch of flowers here and there but all of a sudden on Valentines Day it has to be roses ... they have to be red ... they have to have a posh ribbon!! I feel for them I really do! And what about the people who don't get anything ... from anyone ... talk about being made to feel left out in the cold!!
It takes a brave guy (or girl) to stand up in the face of consumerism (I struggle enough with persuading my four year old that he really doesn't need some lollies ... another car ... a remote control helicopter!) but maybe we can take a moment to consider what meaning we can make out of Valentines Day? Yes we could just ignore it, but what could we have it mean for us that would enhance our relationships?
Maybe it could be the day we call mum or dad and tell them we love them ... maybe the day we slope off for a beautiful, peaceful (and free!) walk on the beach with a loved one and enjoy each others company ... maybe we just use it as a reminder that relationships and connections are vital to our wellbeing and refocus on attracting the relationships we want into our lives.
With a husband in Harvey Bay at the moment, about two and a half hours away, I think it'll be a fairly low key Valentines Day for Mrs Cynicism here. Though I'm curious how all that frenzied romantic energy in the air will impact my client work tomorrow, I'm looking forward to a romantic dinner with my little boy and young Jack the Jack Russell ... and I wonder if Bob hid a card anywhere when he was home on the weekend ...!!
Whatever you choose to make it mean for you, make it real ... make it what you want for your relationships and not what the marketers would have you believe it should look like.
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