Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! (Or, at least it was when this article was written.)

      As we walk down the grocery aisles and stare at those cute little chocolate-covered candies, teddy bears and big red balloons, some of us are feeling happy, indifferent or sad because we are alone.

      But, what’s the big deal with Valentine’s Day anyway? Shouldn’t we be telling people we love them every day of our lives? Surprising them with little gifts here and there?

      I want to take the time to talk about the significance of the Valentine’s Day holiday and what it should remind us to do daily.

      You don’t need a holiday to profess your love to someone.

      Life is too short to not tell someone you love them every day. It usually takes a very personal experience to believe the truth of these words: “I love you” because they are always being thrown around. However, they are said with sincerity.   

      There are, in fact, different kinds of love. There’s the love you feel when you’re with your friends, parents, family, significant other or even swaddling a newborn baby.

      Too often we take the people in our life for granted. We say, “See you later, tomorrow, etc.” as if we know we’re guaranteed that person will be there when that time comes.

      If you genuinely feel love and compassion for someone, you will do your best to make them happy.  You will be there for them when they need someone to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on.

            So, instead of going all “materialistic” on Valentine’s day, although let’s admit, it’s a nice feeling, choose to live every day of your life knowledgeable that what you do one day ultimately does not matter, but it’s what you do during the 364 that remain.