By Barbara Mascio

February the 14th is a day dedicated to love. We asked our ezine readers to submit their thoughts and favorite quotes about love and we received so many replies, we’re still trying to read them all. Thank you for your submissions!

Love comes in many shapes and flavors and is expressed differently by folks. Some expressions are so ‘different’ that we couldn’t add them to our ezine! Such creativity, my goodness.

Love is a very strong emotion and it is a very real spiritual attribute. It requires time and care and will ask you to put another person’s needs first but true love will never ask you to sacrifice your own soul's integrity in the process. Love is a challenge. Love is a mystery. Love can make you crazy and Love can keep you sane.

One of our love submissions came in the form of a new senior, Ms. Lydia, creating a focus page within our Seniors Approve Free Web Community. It brought tears to my eyes. See Lydia We will hold a special place in our hearts for you and Stan this year Lydia.

The recipe for a perfect marriage was also a testament to love. See Mark

Jean Wales of Wales Consulting and author of 'Do it Now' sends her thoughts –

In real life, as opposed to the movies and TV, love is day-to day. Love is helping my husband pack his lunch for the next day, while he helps me by doing a “carpentry” or “electrical” fix-it job; or listening to your teenager at 11:00 pm when he or she is “active” and you are “drop-dead tired” after a full day of career, housework and trying to squeeze in a little “me” time; or going to the nursing home at 9 pm to help settle down your 91 year old dad when he is thoroughly disgruntled about his care.

LeeAnn, another ezine subscriber sent –

Entering the back door of your best friend,
Holding a hand just because you care,
Seeing the wonders of nature, like it’s the 1st time,
Giving a smile to watch it continue to spread,
Listening to the tales of the good old days,
Knowing in my heart that I showed someone I cared,
Thinking before saying angry words & then remain quiet,
Leaving the judging to God,
To live life and not sit and let it pass,
To know love will never die,
The best memories are made from love.
Hugs to all

Georgeann sent her quote about love –

If you love someone, put their name in a circle instead of a heart, because
hearts can break, but circles go on forever

A reader from California, Judy M sent this, a quote from Kahil Gibran.

"They say if one understands himself, he understands all people. But I say to you, when one loves people, he learns something about himself."

And Pastor Sandy L. from Illinois sent a quote that she has on her office wall by Mother Theresa

"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired."

Love can be the teacher of tolerance, acceptance and forgiveness. Life will present opportunities to learn these qualities, however, love enlightens your awareness and can be the ultimate impetus towards forgiving, towards tolerance and acceptance beyond a human level.

I myself have learned to forgive others when it seemed humanly impossible, while keeping my heart open to the spiritual love I have for my Creator.

You can love a thing, love a person, love yourself, love your country, love your job. Learning how to feel this love without becoming possessed by the object of your love, takes a bit of wisdom. I remember back in my hippie days the sentiment was, 'If you love a thing, let it go.' Of course, life back then also included ‘Love the one you’re with’ which on the surface sounds harmless enough but the rest of the message was one of reckless abandonment.

When one spirit connects with another, smitten by a love not equated with physical attraction, it is in my opinion, a love meant to be. You become soul mates and are forever connected. Even if, on this planet, you never meet again.

I love. I love Richard, my husband, my best friend and my soul mate, a man with an enormous capacity to love me without possessing me. I love my son, Ross, born with an old soul full of wisdom beyond his years who continues to blow me away with his gift of discernment. I love Denise; my son’s soul mate whose calm laid back approach to life balances my son’s intensity and creates a loving environment for her children. I love my grandson Zachary who, at the age of four has the ability to inspire me to be a better person. I love my granddaughter Isabella whose smile and giggles have the power to lift the heaviest of moods.

I love my pets. I love good chocolate. I love the Blues. I love to color, write, to read and I love to learn. I love to laugh. I love being alone. I love my family who has learned that although I don’t fit the mold of what’s expected and considered ‘norm’, they’ve learned to love me anyways. I love checking off things on my to-do-list. I love a challenge. I love my job working with seniors and with those in the elder care business.

Love is the creator of inspiration. As you plan to celebrate the 14th, use a little imagination to find the perfect expression of love that you hold for your children, spouse, other family members, and your friends. And if you feel up to a challenge, share some of that love with a person who may be hard to love. Make it a day of giving of yourself as you celebrate the one day on our calendar dedicated to love. Because Love is a feeling in motion that once shared remain precious for all of eternity.

About the Author

Founder of http://www.qualityeldercare.com and of http://www.seniorsapprove.com

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