Chocolate gets eaten, flowers wilt, and jewelry loses its meaning when relationships change. It is interesting that Valentine’s Day falls during Lent, which is a traditional time to give up indulgences that are often harmful to our bodies. One problem with Lenten sacrifices is that they are often abandoned as soon as Lent is over. The commitment to make these changes permanent is missing.
We need to give ourselves a spiritual valentine that is focused on permanent changes to help us progress on the Spirit Path. Taking personal responsibility for one’s physical, mental and spiritual health is a key milestone for those that want to be healthy at all levels. Making a decision to truly eliminate the day-to-day indulgences that poison the mind, body and soul is a major step on the Spirit Path.
Change is very difficult to achieve. The thought that you can get another person to change is generally a fantasy unless the person wants to change for their own reasons. At best, we have control over our own changes, and that is tenuous. It takes a degree of enlightenment to effect a true shift in our daily patterns to improve how we are living.
Sometimes it takes divine intervention to make a change, and that intervention can be very, very rough on the individual. Hitting the bottom is a lot harder on us than seeing the light. If we can look at what we are doing in light of how it is helping or be a better, happier human being, we are on the right track. Valentines are given as an indication of love, and there is no love that is more important than the love that you show yourself.
Loving yourself must include loving your body, mind and soul. Some confuse self-love with egotistical thinking. Self-love is the basis of your spiritual development and meeting the goals you have set for your life before you ever came into physical existence. Jesus’ commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” has some hidden wisdom. You will love your neighbor exactly as you love yourself.
True love starts with your own image and acceptance of who you really are. The vast majority of destructive behavior starts with someone that does not love their self. Drug abuse often is tied to trying to hide from the demons from within. Sexual promiscuity is often based upon trying to buy love through physical acts. People that love themselves are not easily persuaded to follow the crowd like lemmings leaping over the cliff.
Taking personal responsibility for all areas of your life is the best spiritual valentine you can give to yourself and to everyone else. We have an opportunity to take personal responsibility from this day forward, and it will absolutely change your life.
The fourth agreement in Don Miguel Ruiz’ book, The Four Agreements is to be the best you can be at the time. If you incorporate the Golden Rule into this agreement, you will find that your actions have changed for how you treat yourself and others to achieve the highest good for all. This will have you giving a spiritual valentine to the Universe, and the Universe will reward you with support for all that you do.
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day.
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