If we can get beyond the corny red heart clichés and commercialism surrounding Valentine’s Day, there’s real value in celebrating the idea of love.
Okay, love doesn’t always conquer all and it’s rarely forever, but I worry that the hearts and souls of a whole generation are being corrupted by images that mock and trivialize the beauty and sanctity of real love in blatant worship of good looks, shallow sex, and money.
Sitcoms, reality shows, and dating games tell us that romance is all about setting rather than sentiment and that courtship is a cynical game based on lusts rather than longings for deeper connection. They show attractive young people demeaning themselves in a perpetual quest of pretty, empty vessels, and they make celebrities out of manipulative, self-indulgent, and selfish men and women who think fidelity is foolish and commitment is confining. They celebrate relationships where there’s no intimacy, authenticity, sincerity, affection, admiration, or even respect.
Love is not a mirage, and it’s not a game. It requires work and patience, but its rewards far exceed the hollow pleasures of hooking up. The glory of love is not the satisfaction of urges, but the discovery of a soul mate who, in the words of writer Richard Bach, “has locks that fit our keys and keys to fit our locks.”
Love, he writes, is a place where we feel safe enough to open the locks and let our truest selves step out. It’s a place where we can be loved for who we are, not for who we’re pretending to be.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
I think you will want to read this extremely touching commentary about Coach John Wooden’s legacy of undying love.
Some other don’t miss posts: loving husband’s birthday card, a description of the perfect boyfriend , a touching video from When Harry Met Sally , a very funny video from Princess Bride about true love, 30 primo quotes on love, and finally some really lovely vintage Valentine’s Day cards.