Valentine’s Day tends to be awkward for people who aren’t in a romantic relationship—or whose relationship doesn’t hold the romance they wish it would. But there are many kinds of love one could celebrate this holiday. The love of chocolate is only one.
What kind of love do you celebrate today?
The things we discard don’t go away. Even the garbage we properly dispose of still takes up space in the landfill. Even the relationships that end cleanly hover in the back of our consciousness, shaping who we are. But the biggest problems are caused by the things we try to just abandon, as if by ignoring them we could make them disappear.
What have you abandoned that you could put away with greater care?
“We have only begun
to imagine the fullness of life.
How could we tire of hope?
—so much is in bud.”
— Denise Levertov
What does the fullness of life look like when you imagine it?
If you live in a cold or drought-ridden climate it can be hard to imagine in February that the world will ever be lush and green again. All you can do is keep walking along the path in the companionship of the memory of running water and green trees.
What “green” parts of your life sustain you with their memory?
If you happened to be a tiny dog at a Gay Pride event, you would definitely need a rainbow bandana. A favorite blazer might give you the confidence to enter an important meeting while the right shoes set the tone for an evening out.
What item of clothing sets you up to be your best in a particular setting?
