“Roses are red…”

Actually, roses come in all colors, shapes, and scents. They’re all things of beauty, unless of course you’re not a rose person, which is perfectly fine too. Maybe you’re all about hydrangea, those exuberant, puffy bouquets that say so much while somehow speaking quietly. Or, maybe the smooth verdant evergreen succulent is more to your liking. The point is it’s up to you, and it’s all good. 

It’s February, the month of celebrating love. Personally, I believe that love is something to celebrate every day (and all day). Don’t you? I mean, why just one day of one month? That’s a lot of pressure, and, honestly, I don’t think love has anything to do with pressure. 

Love is ease. Love is sweet. Love is tender. Love is an act expressed and felt daily. Every moment of every day, we have the opportunity to express love for ourselves and for others through acts of kindness. Self care is an act of love. Helping a neighbor is an act of love. 

Easy, sweet, and tender – those are the baby steps to loving daily, and that starts with you. Be tender with yourself; imagine you are a delicate flower, and handle yourself with great care and kindness. Don’t forget the little boy, girl, or being inside of you – that sweet child who blossoms in the light of a smile, who grows strong with encouraging words, who believes that kindness is a playground where all are welcome. 

Like the flowers, celebrating love is unique and like I said, it starts with loving care of the self. When that loving dialogue is rich and meaningful, how we extend and express our love to others is as well. Love is a daily practice, and we know that practice creates ease. Expressions of love don’t need to be huge production numbers involving skywriting and dozens of long-stem roses delivered on the hour – certainly not. Love is daily acts of kindness. Love is making the coffee and bringing that first cup to your partner. Love is giving up your seat on the bus for one less able to stand. Love is listening and hearing when someone else speaks. 

So, yes, roses can be red, violets can be blue.
You can write a poem telling of love, through and through.
However you choose to express your love,
love on the daily, love on the true.