Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, known as a day of love. It was also Ash Wednesday, the start of a season of sacrifice, a time of intentions and reflection.
The juxtaposition of these two days together may seem strange. But really, it’s not. One story states that Saint Valentine was martyred for being a Christian priest or bishop in the early church who refused to go along with the edicts of the Roman government. You see, he married Christians in the Christian faith, not the way the Roman government wanted them to be wed. He did so even though he knew he would likely be killed . As a result, he became the saint of courtly love and thus the romance of the day today is a result of a priest believed people had the right to marry whom they chose in the way that they wanted.
But anyway, I digress in the purpose of my blog post today.
Every year in this religious season, I give up something, usually the things that satiate my sweet tooth but do little for me nutrient wise. But I also try hard to be more intentional with other things. I try to give up my anger, though sometimes I fail. I try to give up impatience, though that is very difficult for me. I try to be more mindful of my actions and my words, though since my impatience gets the better of me, that falls by the wayside for a few brief moments. I also try to be more purposeful with my love.
So being that Lent STARTS on Valentine’s Day, I am going to make a point of doing small things with great love.
Dear readers…. may I offer a challenge to you as well?
Be intentional with your love. Do small things with it. Build bridges, burn down walls, open hearts as you open your arms. Everyone should and could be loved…. the Pharisee, the tax collector, the sinners and those who think they are the saints, the LGTBQIA+ community, the refugees, the fear mongers or anything in between. It’s the little acts of kindness, the intentional decision to make someone else’s day. It’s learning to dance and create magic for others as well as yourself. It’s learning to be purposeful, mindful, generous, gracious, and even a little fruity.
Do small things with great love.
A small thing is a cheery greeting that melts the heart.
A small thing is an unexpected hug and kiss from a small child when one is having a bad morning.
A small thing is a simple compliment given to someone for something they have done, never knowing the impact that is made.
A small thing is taking the initiative and making an effort to learn how to correctly pronounce or spell a person’s name, no matter how difficult it seems to be.
A small thing is letting vulnerable and marginalized people know they are not only safe, but loved when the world seems to want to cancel them out.
All of those AND MORE can be done with great love.
Be intentional.
Be love.
Stay magical.
Keep writing.
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K. S. Wood Writes 
I am taking up this challenge Kay! It sounds llike a challenge I’ll enjoy doing too! Xx
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Yay!
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Very beautiful advice! We all should be more intentional about life and kindness. Thank you.
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You are right! It’s the simple things that count.
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Sometimes the smallest thing can be used in the biggest way. Beautifully written, K! 💞💞💞
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