Sunday Musings – February 14, 2021
Valentine’s Day
Whether one views this day in the United States as another day to contribute to the economy or a day to live the fantasy where one can find that perfect person with whom to create a blissful life which is not affected by dirty dishes in the sink or left in various places in the home, opposing budget ideas, obviously unenlightened views on a variety of subjects, or other symptoms of that illness known as humanness, it is an opportunity to hear, smell, and consider love.
I, as is true for many of those who use the English language, use or overuse the word love. I hear myself saying: “I love this book. I love this meal. I love this animal. I love this friend. I love this Blenko vase. I love Mozart. I love the idea of romantic love. I love. I love. I love.”
Anyone who has been in a committed relationship with another adult knows that everyday life is often less than romantic. It is work, homes chores, community responsibilities, extended family responsibilities and, if one has children, a million other responsibilities. Yet, this is the good life for those who are blessed with a home, a country, and a job. This is the good life for those who do not suffer from a chronic mental illness or are not living with a partner whose illness does not allow them to be present, kind or even physically safe.
What is this word love that many of us apply to people, places, objects and events? I suspect it is many things, but most of all, I suspect it is a verb. The weather here in Oklahoma has turned bitter, killing cold. The Police Chief, Nate King, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma decided the jail could be used as a homeless shelter. He suggested it to community leaders who agreed. Regular arrests were suspended and many donated supplies. The jail has become a temporary home. In many other cities and towns community members have donated money for hotel rooms for the homeless, opened up churches and other civic/community facilities and stepped up donations of food, time and persons to care for those we often decide are a nuisance or an eye sore; those who detract from the day to day luxury life of many of us; those who provide a much too vivid reminder of the message of Jesus and other spiritual leaders.
I suspect love is more evident when someone is taking care of those of us who are often not attractive physically, emotionally or spiritually. When Jesus admonished his students to love your enemy he was, I suspect, suggesting that we look deeply to find the common pain all of us have experienced. I also suspect he was suggesting that we remember that at our most unattractive we are deserving of love; of our partner or other friend bringing us a cup of coffee; offering to do our laundry when we are too exhausted; or even being present when we are having a snit over the loss of some luxury item while our neighbor goes hungry.
Falling in love is easy and can be great fun. We wear our best smiles and other items of costumes. We are kind, seem to listen well, may take a shower, and put on good smelling products, and hide our less attractive human characteristics. Acting with love even when the other is not so attractive or when mental illness or some other disease has stolen the person with whom we fell in love is not easy. It may demand all the money, time and energy we have.
Still, I love my kitchen when I can prepare a meal which nourishes the body and soul of another. I love the books which reminds me of the best and worst of who we are. I love the fruit bouquet I received from an old friend when I moved into the condo which was becoming my new home. I love the clerk who offers an early morning smile with no demands or expectations. I love the dog or ferret I meet in the elevator and greets me like a long lost ancestor. I love the meal which has seen the work of hundreds before it reached my home and table. I love language which tickles my being.
Perhaps cupid did not intend all this when he or she created love and valentine’s day. Perhaps he or she did not know about the layers of love. Yet, any excuse for love is good.
Happy valentine’s day.
Written February 14, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Valentine’s Day
Whether one views this day in the United States as another day to contribute to the economy or a day to live the fantasy where one can find that perfect person with whom to create a blissful life which is not affected by dirty dishes in the sink or left in various places in the home, opposing budget ideas, obviously unenlightened views on a variety of subjects, or other symptoms of that illness known as humanness, it is an opportunity to hear, smell, and consider love.
I, as is true for many of those who use the English language, use or overuse the word love. I hear myself saying: “I love this book. I love this meal. I love this animal. I love this friend. I love this Blenko vase. I love Mozart. I love the idea of romantic love. I love. I love. I love.”
Anyone who has been in a committed relationship with another adult knows that everyday life is often less than romantic. It is work, homes chores, community responsibilities, extended family responsibilities and, if one has children, a million other responsibilities. Yet, this is the good life for those who are blessed with a home, a country, and a job. This is the good life for those who do not suffer from a chronic mental illness or are not living with a partner whose illness does not allow them to be present, kind or even physically safe.
What is this word love that many of us apply to people, places, objects and events? I suspect it is many things, but most of all, I suspect it is a verb. The weather here in Oklahoma has turned bitter, killing cold. The Police Chief, Nate King, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma decided the jail could be used as a homeless shelter. He suggested it to community leaders who agreed. Regular arrests were suspended and many donated supplies. The jail has become a temporary home. In many other cities and towns community members have donated money for hotel rooms for the homeless, opened up churches and other civic/community facilities and stepped up donations of food, time and persons to care for those we often decide are a nuisance or an eye sore; those who detract from the day to day luxury life of many of us; those who provide a much too vivid reminder of the message of Jesus and other spiritual leaders.
I suspect love is more evident when someone is taking care of those of us who are often not attractive physically, emotionally or spiritually. When Jesus admonished his students to love your enemy he was, I suspect, suggesting that we look deeply to find the common pain all of us have experienced. I also suspect he was suggesting that we remember that at our most unattractive we are deserving of love; of our partner or other friend bringing us a cup of coffee; offering to do our laundry when we are too exhausted; or even being present when we are having a snit over the loss of some luxury item while our neighbor goes hungry.
Falling in love is easy and can be great fun. We wear our best smiles and other items of costumes. We are kind, seem to listen well, may take a shower, and put on good smelling products, and hide our less attractive human characteristics. Acting with love even when the other is not so attractive or when mental illness or some other disease has stolen the person with whom we fell in love is not easy. It may demand all the money, time and energy we have.
Still, I love my kitchen when I can prepare a meal which nourishes the body and soul of another. I love the books which reminds me of the best and worst of who we are. I love the fruit bouquet I received from an old friend when I moved into the condo which was becoming my new home. I love the clerk who offers an early morning smile with no demands or expectations. I love the dog or ferret I meet in the elevator and greets me like a long lost ancestor. I love the meal which has seen the work of hundreds before it reached my home and table. I love language which tickles my being.
Perhaps cupid did not intend all this when he or she created love and valentine’s day. Perhaps he or she did not know about the layers of love. Yet, any excuse for love is good.
Happy valentine’s day.
Written February 14, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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