You are a Work of ‘Heart’💓 | By Teh Su Syuen
“Love is not only something you feel, it is something you do.”
‒ David Wilkerson
Universally defined as an intense feeling of deep affection or a great interest and pleasure in something, ‘love’ is a word with multiple meanings—in both the general vernacular and to different people. As it is associated with an individual’s unique experiences, everyone would have their own way of expressing love. And what better day to express this feeling than Global Love Day! (Other than the usual Valentine’s Day, of course)
♥ ♡ ♥ ♡ ♥
Now for the million-dollar question: What are some ways that we can celebrate this day?
#1 Plan Gatherings
To start with, why not try planning and hosting a gathering (or two!) with our friends and family. By taking some time out of our busy lives, we can use this day as a chance to bring our loved ones together. Spending this enjoyable day with them would not only nurture our relationship with one another but also promote a sense of belonging in us.
Needless to say, that doesn’t mean that we should only wait for this day to gather with our loved ones—meeting up with our loved ones can be done anytime we can—be it online or physically.
#2 Initiate Traditions
Now, what are special days without traditions? Create unique, personalised traditions that can be done together with our friends and family. To start with, we can have traditions of exchanging gifts, decorating our homes, taking long drives around the neighborhood, and watching rom coms paired with our favourite snacks.
These traditions are what make us feel connected to those around us. We get the chance to enjoy meaningful time with one another. Remember, it doesn’t have to be anything enormous, so long as it’s fun for everyone participating!
#3 Connect with the Community
Since spreading love isn’t limited to only those we know, we can also celebrate this day by connecting with people in our community. Volunteering at a retirement centre or donating items to a local shelter is a simple way to start off. Offering our help and donating our precious time for such good causes allows us to spread our love even to those we don’t know.
By joining community events, not only are we able to help those less fortunate, but we’re also working to make a positive impact in our society.
#4 Do Random Acts of Kindness
Ever heard of the phrase, ‘A simple act of kindness goes a long way’? Well, we can display our kindness and show that we care with small acts, such as smiling at someone, holding the door for others, or even giving a simple, yet genuine compliment. You never know, you might just make someone’s day.
In addition, we can spread our love by practicing the act of paying it forward (i.e. repaying one kind deed by showing kindness to another person)). So, the next time someone does a kind act for you, that’s your sign to spread a little love to someone else!
#5 Create!
If you’re the artistic type, another way to celebrate the day is to create different forms of art to express your love. Go crazy and release all your creativity into your poems, drawings, paintings, essays, or music, just to name a few.
What’s more, you can participate in the Love Foundation’s annual Art, Essay and Poetry Invitational that is held in conjunction with Global Love Day! The principal theme is "Celebrating Our Humanity," and entries should focus on this theme and/or incorporate the Global Love Day tenets:
We are one humanity on this planet.
All life is interconnected and interdependent.
All share in the Universal bond of love.
Love begins with self-acceptance and forgiveness.
With respect and compassion we embrace diversity.
Together we make a difference through love.
Submissions are accepted from all over the world with no age limit for participation, and Finalists and Honorable Mentions are chosen by The Love Foundation Board and awarded certificates. Although it is too late to submit for this year, keep an eye out for next year's launch if you are interested!
#6 Indulge in Self-Care
Lastly, but most importantly, we shouldn’t forget about ourselves. More often than not, what pops into our minds when we hear the word ‘love’ is loving couples, friends, and family—all of which refer to other people. But what about ourselves?
Tending to ourselves and indulging in self-care is one more way to spread the love.We can celebrate this day by allowing ourselves to unwind and heal. So let’s go pamper ourselves by doing things we enjoy, be it watching that movie we’ve been putting aside, reading the books in our to-be-read pile, or dancing to our heart’s content.
♥ ♡ ♥ ♡ ♥
And there you have it: six wonderful ways to celebrate this special day, and I’m just naming a few! With that said, I encourage you to take this golden opportunity to spread love and positivity to others (if you hadn’t yet). So, what are you waiting for? Let’s all celebrate Global Love Day by spreading love and joy—to the world and yourself—in your own special way.
“Be a part of it. Spread the word. Share your love.”
‒ The Love Foundation
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