Last evening, I ended up at the local Wal-Mart store, frantically looking for Valentine’s Day cards for my kids (each child needed a box of cards for their class), in addition to the “treat” that would be attached to each card. As I was standing in the “seasonal section” (you know, the aisles devoted to a particular holiday), I noticed how crowded it was. We needed to maneuver ourselves around shopping carts and let people pass just to get through the aisles. There was a mix of people grabbing stuffed animals emblazoned with hearts or heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, men carrying bouquets of roses, and moms like me sifting through boxes of Valentine’s Day cards trying to pick the ones my kids would like (Toy Story characters and extreme sports pictures). Add to this, trying to find the right treat (lollipops or chocolates) to go with the cards. I was stuck in a Valentine’s frenzy of sorts. Aargh!
Once home, it was now time to assemble everything. My children were intent on making sure that each classmate was included. They took the time to sign their names, and once all the cards were “addressed,” they meticulously (of course I helped) attached the treats to the cards. It took us some time to complete this task, as my kids seemed to take pride in what they were doing. Watching them, the thought then occurred, “Why is it that we focus on one day to tell our loved ones that we love or care about them?” We look for the perfect card, gift, restaurant on this one particular day in February. Shouldn’t we be doing this on a regular basis? That is, not only on a special day?
As Valentine’s Day 2012 comes to an end, how about starting something new? Send your loved ones (e.g., spouse/partner, parent, children, friends, etc.) Love Notes. In this age of technology (e.g., e-mail, texts), a written love note is unexpected, and perhaps a pleasant surprise. All you need is some note paper. Post-It notes are great for this. If you want to get creative, use notes in different colors. Write a simple sentence conveying how you feel about the person (“I love you), or a compliment (“You’re a great friend”). Looking at some of the Valentine’s Day cards my kids gave out, how about sending someone a note with “You rule!” or “You’re extreme!” Place the notes in unexpected places, of course you want to make sure that the recipient of your note finds it. For your spouse/partner, it may be the bathroom mirror, purse/briefcase/wallet, or clothes drawer. Your co-worker may appreciate a note placed on their desk. For your kids, the notes may be placed in their book bags, in their student planner, in a book they are reading, or where they sit at the dining table. This simple gesture will uplift your loved ones. You’ll let them know that they are loved and appreciated all year round.
Problems to Possibilities 