On Valentine’s Day
Posted on 14. Feb, 2010 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in Inspirations, Personal
On Valentine’s day you’re supposed to be in love with someone who loves you back. On Valentine’s day you’re supposed to look fabulous, go out for a glamorous meal in high-heeled shoes, open up a sparkly gift that comes in a tiny box, and come home to candles and music turned low.
Kind of like how we’re all supposed to throw dinner parties and have perfect lives like the people on TV who have time to do everything: career, family, exercise, hobbies, friends, coiffed hair, entertaining.
As I’ve grown up I realize that nobody has this perfect life. Nobody. We may look around and think that other people have it. In an unorthodox way, you may even think that Cameron and I have it. But we don’t. We’ve got a lot, but we don’t have that.
There is this notion of what a life should be like: have a spouse, be fabulous, achieve anything, do everything, raise children, stay married, be perfect.
You can do a lot with your life, but odds are you’re never going to have all that. It’s a lot. Maybe all that is too much.
Maybe you’re single but you’ve got a job that you love. Maybe you’re married and happy but have a job that you hate. Maybe you’re having a terrible year. Maybe you’re having the best year of your life. Maybe you’re going through a divorce. Maybe life sucks. Maybe you’re so happy you could grasp everyone by the shoulders and shout “I love my life!” Maybe you’ll experience all of these things at some time in your life. Maybe you’ve had happy Valentine’s days. And maybe you’ve stayed home on Valentine’s day wondering when life was ever going to get better.
But all of this is what makes life beautiful. Every year is different. Every Valentine’s day is different. If you’re having a bad one, know that there will be others that are fabulous. I promise. And if you’re having a fabulous Valentine’s day, please enjoy it in all its glory.
Happy Valentine’s day to you, be it on the couch with a kleenex or cuddling in front of a crackling fire as the snow falls outside and the music plays on. Either way of spending the day is valid, and I’ve had my share of both. Today’s Valentine’s day is a good one, but I am never certain of what next year will bring. For that reason I choose to be happy and thankful for all that I have on this Valentine’s day.
Bradley
Feb 14th, 2010
Your last two sentences really sum it up.
Choose to relish and share the moment, no matter what.
Though we may feel our happiness is dependent on someone or something else, it really does come from inside.
Micheline
Feb 14th, 2010
So well said! I really love the Laura-Jane version of reality. It’s always spot-on and always optimistic. Happy Valentine’s Day.
christy
Feb 14th, 2010
awhhh!! happy valentines day to you and cam!!!!
Kim
Feb 14th, 2010
Hope you guys enjoyed your day!
Uncle Wally
Feb 15th, 2010
Each of us is predestined to fragility; in this have no choice. A helpless fact, and a stubborn one at that!
But still, a thinking person has to wonder. Why is it that the fact of life inevitable fragility predestines us to need each other, but it does not predestine us to care for each other?
Perhaps we are not so helpless after all.
Uncle Wally
Feb 15th, 2010
Typed in my last entry a tad too quick. I meant to write:
Each of us is predestined to fragility; in this we have no choice. A helpless and stubborn fact!
But still, maybe we should wonder. Why is it that the fact of life’s inevitable fragility predestines us to need each other, but life does not predestine us to care for each other?
Perhaps we are not so helpless after all?
Johanna
Feb 15th, 2010
I have been reading your blog for a week now. Inspiring.
Thought I’d stick my two cents worth in
All that is too much. We beat ourselves up for not being able to be that picture perfect person/couple/family.
Kleenex days for me have always been about re-evaluation of where I am and where I’m going.
And Bradley is right. Happiness comes from within.
This years Valentines day was not a fun one for me and yet I’m thankful for the re-evaluation of my goals and dreams.
Vicki
Feb 17th, 2010
Great post! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LAURA-JANE!!I hope you are celebrating today!! Lots of Love
LJ
Feb 18th, 2010
I’m a day late!!!! Happy Belated Birthday Laura-Jane. But to be fair – I was actually thinking it was in January – so a month early / a day late – not much difference. It’s the thought that counts. Hugs – LJ XOXOXOXOX
Toni
Feb 18th, 2010
Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday!!!!
Michelle
Feb 19th, 2010
Hope you had a wonderful Birthday, Laura-Jane!
Danielle
Feb 19th, 2010
Thought your post was so inspiring. I think all our good times and our hard mold together to make us who we are. Its so great to remind ourselves to live in the moment and enjoy, instead of always trying to achieve a perfect existence. Hope you had a marvelous valentines day. Mine was one of the good ones. One of my simple but favorite quotes is this one……count your blessings and not your problems.