The Power of Love

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” – Mother Teresa

“Love is always bestowed as a gift – freely, willingly and without expectation. We don’t love to be loved; we love to love.” – Leo Buscaglia

Valentine’s Day began as the Feast of St. Valentine to honor the love and sacrifice of early Christian martyrs. One account includes the imprisonment of Saint Valentine of Rome for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire in the third century. Another one is of Saint Valentine restoring sight to the blind daughter of his jailer. There are other associations connecting the saint with the advent of spring. With a wind chill temperature of 45 below in Minnesota this morning, I’m going with celebrating the advent of spring soon, please.

Like Christmas, Valentine’s Day has been secularized to sell stuff, with a focus on romantic love. Returning to its origins, you can choose to celebrate the power of all love, the gift of springs in the winters of life. Reflect on those who love you and who you love in return, present and past. Deepen your awareness to the healing, sustaining and transformational power of unconditional love from God, self and others.

Celebrate the power of love today and practice it imperfectly everyday to be transformed. Cast love, light and joy and be open to receive it in return.