Peace & Love (Ah, Cupid…)

“Be of love a little more careful than of anything.”
 ~ E. E. Cummings

Week #24: 52 Weeks of Peace “Love Journal” / © Patricia Saxton

Ah, Cupid. Fickle, passionate, whose darting arrows don’t always hit the target … we celebrate you nonetheless.

I’ll admit that it’s not my favorite holiday, but I can count a few memorable, especially thoughtful, and even romantic, Valentine’s Day experiences. Unfortunately those went all wrong in the end (beware the man who writes you poetry, a friend once told me…), so I turn to the unscathed memories of shared Valentines from grammar school, or the hand-made kindergarten ones we gave to our parents, with big red construction paper hearts and white lace around the edges, filled with unabashed adoration. And those we give our own children marked with a thousand x’s and o’s.

But despite what might seem a dose of romantic cynicism, I am a true believer. In love. Love is everything. Every task we do, everyone word we utter, every hand we shake, is more meaningful if there’s love in it. Love is the root. Love is the cause. Love is the purpose. Love is all.

And so I welcome any reason to honor love,  and wish a “Happy Valentine’s Day” swarming with roses and chocolates to all husbands and wives, young lovers, old lovers, all who have ever felt the exultation ~ or the sting~ from Cupids’ arrows of desire, have felt their heart swell, their color blush, their energy soar and their selfishness cease.

And to everyone, with or without a “Valentine”, I say fill your hearts with love. Love for self, love for others, love for your pets, for your garden, for your books, for your bicycle, for your favorite chair. Even for the guy trying to make a left turn on a busy street. Raise up the heart quotient all around, and feel the peace that settles in when tension is replaced by unbridled love.

Your heart will be happy that you did.

Patricia Saxton

No Comments
  • Professions for PEACE

    March 17, 2014 at 9:27 am Reply

    Beautiful writing (and art, too!) and every bit of this post touches my heart. Peace and Love. Perfect together. Blessings, Gina

  • Diane

    February 13, 2014 at 8:12 am Reply

    Love is what makes the world go ’round. And a little help from chocolate doesn’t hurt, either! Happy Valentines Day, my friend. Stay safe and warm with this next barrage of winter weather that’s hitting the East Coast. xoxo ~

    • saxtonstudio

      February 14, 2014 at 11:59 am Reply

      Thank you, Diane! Love to you. xoxo

  • wavensongz

    February 12, 2012 at 7:20 pm Reply

    You said it, so I could not have done better, Thanks 😉

  • Rand

    February 9, 2012 at 8:21 pm Reply

    “…love for your pets, for your garden, for your books, for your bicycle, for your favorite chair. Even for the guy trying to make a left turn on a busy street…” or for the guy trying to figure out how to put a book together. :o) Much love from Canada.

    • saxtonstudio

      February 9, 2012 at 9:23 pm Reply

      Laughing! Hey Rand, I’ve missed you. And as for that book, it’s already done…! Let me know if I can be of any practical help.

      • Rand

        February 11, 2012 at 9:42 pm

        And so again Patricia Saxton shows her love. 🙂 Now if I can only find a digital printer who can print it properly. Four proofs later… aaaaargh!

      • saxtonstudio

        February 14, 2012 at 11:54 am

        Seriously? That’s not right. They should be chomping at the bit to do the best possible work for your awesome creation!

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