Valentines Day - How Sweet It Is

Every Valentine’s Day, I receive lists of classmate names from my children’s teachers. I head to Target to purchase cards for 60 of their closest friends, and then get down to the business of addressing each by name. I’ve always enjoyed this task, and my kids have too, but this year, it struck me how ‘sweet’ this tradition is. Every February, my kids tell their friends they are loved, they are special, and they are needed. I’ve always seen Valentine’s Day from a romantic perspective, not one where I simply tell the people in my life they are awesome, and I’m happy they are there.  Perhaps we, as adults, should take a lesson from the mass giving of Vday cards, and take the time to let our friends know we love them, and how grateful we are to have them in our lives.

A simple Sanskrit saying sums this all up:

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Translation: May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

We are taught at an early age that our “actions have consequences”.  For me, this has always put ‘consequence’ in the negative, conversely, our positive actions can result in positive consequences, beautiful ideals like happiness and freedom. Karma yoga is a discipline defined as the “yoga of action”, meaning that what we put out to the universe will find its way back to us. Essentially, what goes around, comes around. Take a moment and send love to the people in your life, make someone feel special this holiday.

Pay it forward. You’ll be glad you did!

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Copyright © 2012 Johanna Seltzer.

Johanna Seltzer, RYT 200, has been teaching since 1991, beginning in dance, and currently in the yogic tradition. She holds a B.A. in dance from the University of Maryland, and a graduate certificate in arts management from American University where she currently serves as an adjunct faculty member. Johanna is a consultant for the Dance Heritage Coalition, River’s Edge Yoga, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, and Virginia Yoga Week. She is a yoga and wellness blogger for the Mount Vernon Patch, and teaches locally at St. Aidan’s Church, Mount Vernon Recreation Center, Mount Vernon Athletic Club, and Pure Prana Yoga Studio. In addition to group classes, Johanna teaches private sessions and classes for corporate wellness programs. For more information, visit www.innerlightyogi.com.