Valentine’s Day is never my favorite day. Why? I’m single.
Consequently, when my friends, relatives and even strangers I meet on the streets flock to florists to buy roses and Valentine’s gifts for their girlfriends, I sit in front of television watching the latest episodes of Glee.
And when the day comes, I will probably be reading a stack of Time or Newsweek magazines when they are dining out with their girlfriends. Perhaps, I should’ve listened to Oppie Andaresta’s Single Happy to cheer me up.
Yes, I’m young, and I have years and years ahead me before I find my Valentine.
But I cannot help feeling a little bit of relief when I found out recently that Saint Valentine’s Day is not restricted to non-platonic love.
Saint Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love in its truest forms — whether you’re yearning to show your love toward your parents and siblings or to show your gratitude toward your best friends. But it’s a day to celebrate.
In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä — which means Friend’s Day. It is a day when friends send cards and gifts to each other. Estonia’s Valentine’s Day — called Sõbrapäev – has the same meaning too.
I think Valentine’s Day encompasses certain kinds of feelings and is a day to reflect. I also believe it is a perfect day to contemplate on whether we’ve truly loved ourselves.
Buddha teaches a lesson, saying, “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve love and affection”.
Yes, self-love is important. Just think — how can you love your boyfriend or girlfriend if you don’t love yourself? It’s like learning to accept, respect and be confident in ourselves, not narcissism.
Sometimes, we forget to appreciate and take care of ourselves.
One of the disadvantages of living in a busy city like Jakarta is that many people get trapped in a routine. Many are preoccupied with their work and career, forgetting to spend time to take a break or just breathe, for their own sake.
Many forget to take good care of their health — skipping lunches and staying in front of their computers the whole day.
I also believe that Valentine’s Day is all about showing your love to your family.
Raised in a close-knit family, I’ve always believed family comes first. Your family members are the ones who stick with you through thick and thin.
Maybe this year’s Valentine’s Day is a moment for you to spend some time with your beloved family — lunching at a new bistro or watching the latest movie.
Someone once said to me, “I think what are important are families, religions and friendships; and we should be good to one another.” Well said.
Recently I was at a restaurant in Puncak. It was rain and many children worked as ojek payung, offering umbrellas in return for a small amount of money. One of them was shivering in the cold. I was touched and wondered why we were not helping more and more people in need.
I think that for this year’s Valentine’s Day — for us singles and couples alike — it is a perfect time to thank God for his blessings and spend more quality time with our family and friends while sharing love with the less fortunate ones. Happiness is real when shared.
— Steven Tannason/Contributor/Jakarta
