Happy Valentine's Day

So I was talking to my girlfriend this morning, and like millions of other single Americans, she's been dreading today. She's not very optimistic about her love life in general these days, but something about Valentine's Day just increases her pessimism exponentially. I cant say I don't understand - I have wasted many a February 14th groaning.

I remember V-Days that fell during the work week having me miserable at the job because people were getting flower deliveries left and right and teddy bears and fruit baskets and all kindsa shit, and all that day had come to mean to me was the demise of some relationship that had been on its last leg for weeks anyway. I swear, there had to be like 4 relationships in a row that all ended within a week of it, so I came to hate it.

But Valentines Day is just a day, like any other. It's the same opportunity to be better than you were the day before. It's the same gift from God that you have lived to see and be thankful for. So why be miserable because TODAY nobody sent you flowers? Did you get any yesterday? How about the day before that? No? So why should you have a heavy heart because you didnt get any TODAY?

You know how I got out of my Valentine's Day funk? I started buying my own flowers. I do it from time to time anyway, just because I love them, but on this day in particular, I would buy myself a bouquet of whatever struck my fancy, find something fun to do with the kids, treat myself to a pedi or new pair of shoes, and follow that up with some home-steamed crablegs, maybe a lobster tail, a nice stiff drink (or three LOL) and a night of my favorite music, by candlelight. That became my ritual - a day filled with all the things I love - and it always did the trick.

You see, if we have to give this day some particular significance, it shouldnt be one set aside to celebrate a relationship - you should be doing that every day if you are lucky enough to be in one. This, to me, should be a day to celebrate the beauty of love in general - the possibilities, as well as the lessons learned - and most of all, a day to remind yourself that a relationship does not define you. You are no less awesome today than you were yesterday, just because you are single, even if it's not by choice. It's a day to remind yourself that in order for you to even love somebody else, you have to first love YOU. How you feel about yourself radiates outward, projecting energy to everyone you meet. If you ever hope to find somebody, you have to get your own mind right. Ceasing to assess your own value based on one day of the year is definitely a start.

So get up, single people! Take a hot shower, get cute and go do something. Even if all you do is go to the store, come home and clean your house to a cd of your favorite songs, do something. Go get your car washed. Buy yourself some new sheets - the good ones that make you not wanna get outta bed. If you gotta sleep alone, you might as well sleep well! LOL But do something. Enjoy your day. Don't be a Hallmark hostage!!! LOL And remember - if nobody else loves you, Doctor Dig loves you!

Have a wonderful day.