Can It Be More than Chocolate and Romance?

Valentine's Day is coming next week, in case you haven't noticed. Of course, it's pretty hard not to, what with all the advertising for various products, services and events. Surely at this time of year we all need something fun and special to engage us, a temporary break from the grind of winter, work and wishing-you-were-somewhere-else. After all, who can be against love, right?

I want to challenge our WB Patch readers to take it one step farther this year. Move a bit beyond the romantic love celebrations normally associated with this holiday. Consider how you can extend love in a broader way across this community. We know that love can be expressed in many ways besides romantic love. Love extends itself among families and friends, and can even be associated with the places we live, work and play.

In the congregation I serve we are holding a themed service on Feb. 12 that calls us to  It emphasizes in a religious way what anyone can do-to make a positive contribution in some way to infuse more love into our lives.

There are practical expressions such as volunteering or stopping to pick up trash in a parking lot. There are simple things like passing on a compliment or performing a random act of kindness. And there are tougher ones, such as apologizing to someone you've offended or making peace with an enemy.

You can stand on the side of love with an individual action or with a group of people who choose to act together to show love in a new way.

Imagine what could change in our West Bloomfield neighborhoods, businesses, schools, homes and houses of worship if even a few people tried this idea next week!  

The third century Christian saint whose name is used to mark Feb. 14th (Valentinus, bishop of Rome) got his reputation for love because he stood between an oppressive government and the people he served, especially soldiers who wanted to marry against the Empire's rules. That's an example of standing on the side of love.

Even if you aren't particularly religious, it makes sense to want a peaceful and supportive community in which you live or work or attend school.  

So, next week, along with the chocolate and the hearts and the pink and red boxes, how about trying to stand on the side of love in some creative way? If you do try this idea, please post about your experience and what you did in the comment section below.