And what did the rubies say
standing before the juice of pomegranates?
– Pablo Neruda
This week of love should not demand a lot from you. It does not require that you be good, message everyone in your address book, or march out to save or the world. Stay simple. Love what is right in front of you—the shape of the big oak tree out your kitchen window, the piece of music you heard today, greeting your loved one at the start of another day.
Love is always right in front of you. And when you love the beautiful, wild, vulnerable face of this world, you and I will feel like we belong here. We need not go to Bali or Mexico or Mars to feel this. It rides on every breath and ripples through us on every sensation.
It’s hard to fathom. When the world is quaking in fear, a world run by would-be kings, you might think that love is furthest from what is needed. But we need love now. We need passion for this life and for all sentient beings who make their home here.
So, this Valentine week choose love. Infatigable, caring, relentless.
