Here is my article last year about Valentine's day, which was not published. I thought of publishing it here since it is it's month.This article as I am reading it again, I have realized to live anew. To remove the hatred I have in my heart. To release the pain the suffocates me. Good thing, I have browsed this on my file.
We always find a reason why we keep on living; why we keep on striving; and why we keep on believing. Above anything that the world can offer us, we always have love. It is the life that gives life to life; the fire that keeps burning in every heart; and the river that keeps flowing even drought comes. Its mystery always reigns but remains undefined. It is a very important piece in our life’s puzzle which can only makes us complete. It is the only reason why life is worth living.
Love is too broad and it is limitless. Love is not only for two lovers. It is shared to everyone who shares an important part in our life; to a person we value so much. It is not only limited to those who did good things but also who in one way or another brings pain- for they bring spices to our life.
In our life’s journey, we have those people who have a great part and space in our life. They, who have gave us reason to feel happiness and to recognize success. They might be someone very special, our father, our mother, our brothers and sisters, our friends. Above everyone else, the only constant emotion is the love of God and thus, our hearts must always be filled with love for Him.
As our life became busy with the things that we prioritize, we may sometimes forget how to let our love ones know how much we love them. We might not be aware that we had hurt someone, or we had ignored the affection of people around us. But then, everyone finds time to celebrate the holiday of love every Valentine’s Day. It is a time to freed our emotions; to shatters love; and to sincerely share it.Why Valentine’s Day?
When we speak of Valentine’s Day, one thing will come in one’s mind is the day of love. Today, it becomes a very special day for everyone who wants to share their feelings as well as an opportunity to let everyone know how they feel. It is also a day where people make others feel special.
Everyone might know how to celebrate this special day but most probably, everyone doesn’t know the story behind this joyous and warming celebration. There are varying opinions and stories as to the origin of the Valentine’s Day. Valentine is a saint. In the Catholic encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by this name; one was a priest in Rome, another is a bishop in Terni and the third St. Valentine whom almost nothing is known except that died in Africa. Astonishingly, all these three Valentines were said to have been martyred on February 14.
The story of St. Valentine of Rome served as priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius II where Christianity was a new religion that time. Under his empire, Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius got difficulty in getting soldiers to join his military colleagues and he believed that it is because men do not want to leave their love ones and families. With this, he cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine defied the Emperor's decree and secretly married the young couples. He was eventually arrested, imprisoned, and put to death. He was condemned to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off.
Valentine was died on February 14th about the year 270 AD, the eve of the Roman holiday Lupercalia. On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry. In ancient Rome, February 14th was also a holiday to honor Juno, the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses who was known as the Goddess of women and marriage. As Rome became more Christian, the priests moved the spring holiday from the 15th of February to the 14th - Valentine's Day. Now the holiday honored Saint Valentine instead of Lupercalia.
The history of Valentine’s Day shows us how St. Valentine made two lovers bonded their love for each other despite of the selfish rules of the Emperor- a love that conquers all even death. February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers Valentines Day is a day to express our love, and to celebrate the spirit of love. It is the perfect time to express what our heart feels. Valentine’ Day is not only for two distinct lovers but it is for all; to all who loved, who loves and will remain loving. It is a day of making our emotions fills other’s heart.
Usually, we celebrate this by giving flowers, cards and gifts just to express our love and how much we value our love ones. It is also sometimes celebrated in parties, outings, dates and balls. There are different ways on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day but one thing that everyone should always remember about this. The best way on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day is by simply saying how much you love your love ones, sincerely and wholeheartedly. And it is always felt if we leave every day with love in our hearts, free from hatred and in God’s grace. Let us not forget that love is not only celebrated during Valentine’s Day, it must live forever, as St. Valentine and our God Almighty would want us to do.
