"There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved."
This very true, beautiful and deeply meaningful quote is said by the famous French novelist George Sand. And she has so rightly pointed out, that all the talent and wealth of the world put together cannot give the joy you receive, when you are loved.
Valentine's Day: lover's day. Let's peep a bit into its origin. Valentine's Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century. There are many stories about St. Valentine and over the years these stories have grown into the legend we know today.
Howbeit, not going into those details, let's talk about something more interesting, something that would bring a smile on your face. Valentine's Day is now an annual festival to celebrate love, friendship and admiration. Every year on 14 February, people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends. Couples send Valentine's Day cards, flowers and spend quality time together to honour their love for each other.
But having said that and with all due respect to this special day, do you think we and our love is restricted or bound by only this one day? Why can't each single day of our lives be a valentine?
Love is in the heart but the expression of it is in our words, our touch, actions and our smiles. It's great to be loved. However when that gesture is returned with the same affection, the quantum of it becomes double. Haven't we heard people say, "I'm living on love and air!"
Many people accuse their partners of having selfish love. I differ. If you truly love, you can't be selfish. Moreover, if you are selfish, then there is no love at all. They don't and can't exist together. They are actually enemies of each other.
Love has many forms and faces to it. Nevertheless the root foundation in every relationship remains the same: the joy of giving!! The happiness you feel when you bring a smile on another's face is far more enduring that your own pleasure.
Best friends of love without whom love cannot survive, are trust and loyalty. These things come automatically if you love someone with all your heart. Nobody needs to teach you to be trustworthy and loyal. Your feelings for the person works its magic on you. And the test of these qualities is more so in the absence of your loved one. When you don't give in to any kind of nonsense coming towards them from others.
In today's busy, modern world, sadly, people love materialistic things and use their dear ones for their own selfish motives. Whereas it should be the other way round. Love is not something which will be served on a platter. You'll have to work for it.
Love: Let's stick to this basic human need and spread it far and wide, as much as possible. I began with a lovely quote and shall end with another beautiful one.
"Where there is love, there is life."
Mahatma Gandhi.
Shamim Merchant, Mumbai.
