"Valentine this, valentine that, yen yen yen". Abeggiiiii, why can't you celebrate valentine everyday and let us rest. February 14 shouldn't be about your partner alone, other people around you, the universe deserves to be loved also. The saint celebrated today, Valentine, is the patron saint of Affianced couples, against fainting, beekeepers, happy marriages, love, mentally ill, plague, epilepsy. Most of the things under his patronage relates with sickness or a condition and this has reflected what love truly mean. It is not about going on dates and exchanging gifts alone. It's by giving that neighbor you don't like matches, by checking up on that person you accused of withdrawing from you, by making yourself a reliable emotional support, giving out those old clothes (not condemned ones) that fills your wardrobe to those that needs it, by sharing that food you are managing and above all by loving Love himself, the source of everything.
The first step of having profound love in your heart is the having the love of God, love that doesn't get angry, love that doesn't keep malice, love that doesn't judge nor condemn, love that is eternal. Having the love of God in your heart is the pathway to find peace in your heart and peace with yourself. Peace in your heart and peace with yourself is the 2nd step to having profound love, when you are not at peace with yourself, you can't be at peace with anything or any other person. The next step to finding profound love is to remember you are human and you are not perfect likewise every other person. Once you accept that you are not a perfect creature, you wouldn't find fault in people because you'll have that reminder that neither you nor your neighbor is perfect. Finally, on my own small list of finding profound love is to appreciate everything, no matter how little it is. One main reason I like buying gift for the other gender (males) is that they appreciate the smallest bit of everything you gift them, even if it's just cufflinks or a tie, they will be so happy. Having the spirit of appreciation will make you see beauty in everything and someone who sees beauty in everything will definitely find love in everything.
Just a little last point and reminder,
love doesn't recount favors and expect one in return.
Love is reading this newsletter and sharing it (lol.)
Thank you for reading
Written with love.
Oluseun Ayanfebaba
Love, Light and Amala.