Valentine's Day Editorial featured at http://lyndonstatecritic.com
What comes to mind when you think of Valentines Day? Love, chocolates, kissing, flowers perhaps? What if I told you that Valentines Day is just one of the many ways society reinforces the seemingly undeniable need to be in a relationship and have sex? Im sure a few eyebrows raised with that one because it challenges the oblivious status quo mentality that runs rampant especially in this country.
Valentines is touted as a day where you shower your loved one with material objects in an attempt to showcase your appreciation for that person and in many circumstances look for a more physical reaction. Does this sound a lot like bribery? Are politicians in Washington allowed to take gifts from corporations as a token of their appreciation of their voting record? NO. Thats seen as a major no no and yet its acceptable in our personal lives. Now obviously not EVERYONE is exactly the same. Im generalizing here, but its an interesting point to ponder.
Instead of promoting flowers, chocolates, and cards; how about promoting two very important concepts: communication and loving yourself.
Number one: Communication. Yes, a card is nice on Valentines day, but you know what means more than that? Expressing your true feelings for that person. One of the problems with the card industry today is that we have become so reliant on cards to tell someone how we feel that actually talking to the person breaks down and we never really express our feelings. Instead we let cards speak for us. So if you are going to get a card, combine that with some deep passionate discussions.
But what about loving yourself? Isnt that a little selfish since Valentines is supposed to be a day of celebrating the special someone in your life?
Here is one of the many problems I see in younger relationship mentalities today: the need to constantly be in a relationship. There is so much pressure on people to be in a relationship coming from images in the media to even the music we listen to. Obviously not everyone listens to the same music or even listens to music at all, but have you ever really stopped and actually LISTENED to the lyrics of the songs produced today? It is shocking to find out that a majority of songs in the iTunes Top 100 list every week constantly have to do with either finding love, being in love, or experiencing heartbreak. Im of course one to talk with a majority of songs on my iPOD have to do with those lovely topics, but I guess I never really stopped to think about what the lyrics actually meant. I feel like Ive been subconsciously brainwashed with love propaganda and I didnt even realize it!
Actually our peer group also has a major role in making you feel the heat when it comes to turning up the heat in your personal life. Have you ever felt pressured to get with someone because most of your friends are in relationships themselves? They dont even have to say or do anything. It is almost like an unspoken GET YOUR BUTT IN GEAR. Furthermore, some of you at one point or another might have felt like a third wheel when hanging out with a friend in a relationship, but once youre in one, the awkwardness in that situation dissipates. Why is that? Why cant you be single, happy, and not awkward?
Whether you are single and are consistently unhappy because you are not in a relationship or you are in a relationship and have low self esteem (meaning you cant live without that person in your life), you must learn to be able to love yourself before you can accept love from other people. If you are unable to enjoy the pleasure of your own company, aka being alone, what are you going to do when youre actually with someone? Youll then be in a negative situation where you base your entire existence or happiness on the other person. Then what happens when and if they leave you or it doesnt work out? Then it feels as if your entire world just collapsed before your very eyes in slow motion. Understand that the only person that can make you happy is YOU. Your attitude means the world when it comes to living your own life. Like attracts like. If you keep thinking negative thoughts what do you think you are attracting to yourself? It sure as sugar wont be positive.
Going back to Valentines Day; if you are single do what I do and eat a bunch of carbs and sugar while watching lifetime movies. No just kidding. Do something nice for yourself. Appreciate you for being you. On the other hand if youre in a relationship do something special for your loved one that maybe isnt materialistic such as expressing your true feelings and being the best possible person.
The moral of this editorial is love yourself, think positive, and live your life for you and no one else.
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"The Point" Video Column ep. 3by justinchenetteshows83 views
Your sad. You disagree with valentines gifts because you dont get any yourself, and you would love yourself cause no one else does.
TwoFootNinJaH 1 year ago