Love

Love a word that has endless definitions. It can be taken out of context, too far into context and is a common emotion that humans share across the world at least one time in their lives. For those of us who are lucky enough to acknowledge it, it is an everyday sensation.



Valentines Day

Love in terms of Valentines Day takes on a whole new meaning. I have encountered some who enjoy the spirit of Valentines Day whether or not they have a special cuddle buddy. Others are less enthusiastic about the holiday because they feel it only exists to exploit the saps that get a kick out of receiving gifts of chocolate, over priced jewelry and roses. No matter your stance on this gaudy day o’ love, I want to offer you a different meaning for it all.

Where Do You Stand with Love?

Love is an emotion that is not easy to come by for everyone. You might feel as though you have a lack of love that surrounds you, or maybe your don’t know how to share your own love. Perhaps, it is even true that you did not have love in your life as a child and it has transferred over to today. No matter the reasons of your past, you can still start today anew, live a life full of love- cuddle buddy, or not. And to those of you who are swimming in love daily, this invitation still stands for you as well.



What Valentines Day Means to Me

For as long as I can remember, Valentine's Day has been my favorite holiday (aside from the 4^th of July!) I have been lucky enough to have love in my life everyday that I can remember. I think a large part of it being there is that I choose to acknowledge its existence. To me, Valentine's Day is celebration of the Love that exists EVERYWHERE. Not just in intimate relationships, but the love I have for my family, friends, and above all- myself. I take this Holiday of Love and use it to get excited about this feeling that is FREE to EVERYONE. I love to my fullest on this day; strangers, cab drivers, movie theater attendants, waiters, boyfriends, girlfriends, moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, cousins, friends, ex-boyfriends, E V E R Y O N E. Especially you Pinkies.



What’s In It for You?

Pinkies, imagine what it would be like, if for a moment you stepped out of your mind frame that Valentine's Day was something to either preen over because some lover adores you or curse because you don't? What if you started celebrating LOVE for its own sake instead. Where would that leave you? Would you be honoring yourself with a bubble bath, pink roses and chocolates (heck, maybe even a massage?) Or perhaps you will gather with your friends and a good chick flick while you basque in each others awesome-ness. Whatever it is you choose to do, do it with a large amount of love in your heart and see how much further it gets you. Valentine's Day is something to take advantage of. Personally, I think it is incredible that we have a National Day O’ Love- how lucky are we?!

What about you Pinkies? What are you doing to celebrate today? Tell us your stories- all of them. If you're whooping it up in roses and chocolate land because you've found the love of your life, share your joy and let us celebrate with you (I'm serious. Let's share of happy days as well as our struggles. Those of us who haven't found that will relish your joy on this special day.) If you're annoyed by this Hallmark holiday, share that too. If you've found love here at Owning Pink and it's changed you, tell us how you feel. We want to know all the facets of how V-day affects you. As always, we just want to be real. What's real for you?

Loving YOU (and me,)

Megan Monique

A special Valentine's Day message from Owning Pink's founder Dr. Lissa Rankin:

Pinkettes....daw-lings...I am sending each and every one of you extra special love, healing juju, and virtual rose petals raining down upon you while I wrap you in my arms and tell you how much I care. Really. Do you feel it? Happy Valentine's Day. Let's truly, collectively make this a day of Love. Please make an extra special effort to use your Magical Eyes, don your LOVE BUBBLE, and put your love out into the world today. Reach out to someone who might be lonely and need a hug. Buy flowers for the girl behind you at the checkout counter in the grocery store with the tan line where her wedding ring used to be. Give a hug to a widow at church who might need one. Call your single girlfriends and plan an impromptu LOVE FEST potluck party.

And please do me an extra special favor and make this a special day of expressing love to your fellow Pinkies on the Pink Posse forum. Send them messages of love. Reach out to those who live near you and meet for a cup of tea. Pay extra attention to those who are posting on the Posse blog and make sure everyone feels nurtured. Hell- write on the Posse blog and let us nurture YOU. Let's make this day about US- ourselves and those we love. Let's truly celebrate love the way it was meant to be celebrated (with big PINK balloons and banshee dancing and rock and roll and moments of stillness in which we remember who we are.) Okay? You in?

Holding you in both arms and squeezing extra special tight today,

Lissa & the rest of the Owning Pink team