Valentines day.

Ok. so I don't want this blog to turn into a rant and want to be mindful that others besides myself are reading it. I realize that things I say could be construed as extreme but goodgrief, I am an extreme person. So, please, everyone... a grain of salt. That being said, I think that Valentines day has been so commercialized (for that matter, was created by commercialism at its finest) that we cannot think of anything to do that doesn't involve money.

What does it take to get us to live with each in the same world, something like cancer or death? Valentine day suggestions often include an activity like "vegetabling" out in front of a romance movie and watching someone else's love life instead of living out your own; oh, to be sure, that is exactly what I call romantic! Why do we give each other cards and candy and presents all to avoid actually talking to one another and sharing your soul with the other person. Cards that say things for us, instead of sitting down and actually thinking about what the other person means to us in particular, writing that out. Candy to satiate the desire to gorge ourselves on a drug that will make us fat and unhealthy in order to ignore the fact that our relationships are bankrupt. Its a cop out; and frankly, I could care less if I ever get another gift. I don't want things, or chocolate. Yes, its nice and my body might disagree with me. But what my soul longs for is decent communication of thought, the sharing of ideas and body, not stuff, not escapism. Suggestions:

1. walking in a park or laying in the grass on a blanket if the day is nice,
2. working on a project together,
3. spending time in bed,
4. make out
   
5. talk about your future,
6. tell the other person WHY you love them,
7. tell the other person What you love about them,
8. write them a letter telling them these things IN DETAIL in order that they may be able to read them in the future, thus reminding them of why and what (take notes from Song of Solomon
   
9. Tell them all your heart without fear of rejection or laughter.
10. make something and give it, something they'll appreciate.
11. serve the other person. do some chore that he or she doesn't want to do. It has to be something that is their responsibility
12. find out what the other person is stressed about or frustrated about. loves or hates.
    
13. ask them questions. about their opinion.

So, I am angry, in a way, at our culture again, because its they that have told and sold the lie that it isn't a decent valentines without stuff and we've bought it hook, line, and sinker.

disclaimer. not all candy is bad all the time. and movies can, from time to time encourage you to love your spouse more fully. but come on people, its mainly a crutch and our legs are broken.