Compact of Character: Live Out Love


Ah, February.  The month of Valentine's Day, roses, and chocolate.  It's a wonderful thing.

February can be a difficult month, too, I've found.  I didn't date anyone until college, and I remember my best friend and I watching movies on Valentine's Day every year and eating cookie dough by the spoonful, each putting on our brave "I'm-a-powerful-single-lady-and-I-don't-need-no-man" faces and making each other amazing friend valentines.  While those were truly fun times, there was always a small pang of "I wish..." that went along with them.

Even those of us who are in relationships can still experience that "I wish" feeling during this month.  "I wish my husband would do nice things like that for me."  "I wish my love and I could be together today."  "I wish I didn't have to work on Valentine's Day."

While these wishes may be valid, we can quickly get sucked into a state of pity or discontentment during this time.  What a terrible way to celebrate a month about love!  You know what is one of the best ways to fight this self pity and have an amazing February?

Don't think about yourself.

It seems too easy, yet all at once too difficult to do, but I promise it works!  This month, take time to think of someone you love and show how much you care about him or her.  Bake cookies for your roommate, bring your friend coffee at work, pay for a game of paintball with your brother, write your grandmother a note.  Take some time to cherish someone this month and just see how it affects your outlook on and contentment with life!

I'd love to hear about the ways you cherish others this month!  Take a moment to tweet or Instagram about it and use the hashtag #compactofcharacter and/or tag me in it.  Throughout the month I'll post, regram, and retweet about the creative ways you guys find to appreciate others!

1 comment

  1. That is such a powerfully important message. I fully get the mindset of those who aren't fans of the romantic/commercialized sides of Valentine's Day, but I've always preferred to focus on love of all kinds of this day, including that for my friends and family and in many ways even see Feb. 14th in much the same light as Thanksgiving. A day to bring cheer to others and be grateful for the love they impart to my life.

    ♥ Jessica

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