Love

Valentines month is here. I remember back in elementary school how important it was to choose your Valentine cards to give to all your classmates. You wanted to give the best ones to those you really liked, and more nondescript wishes to your pals and others. And if you had a crush on a classmate then the best Valentine with the most “sugar” was carefully signed and given to her/him so they would know your feelings of “love.” But “love” at that age was short lived. By next month, you might have a completely other “sweetheart” in mind, but there was no Valentines Day to make it easy to tell them. Then you just had to muster the courage to tell her/him.

At our school “love” is one of our essential codes we teach our students through the White Lotus Association. Our creed says: “Love: I will serve others rather than be served.” Love by this idea is not based on feelings or attraction. It is not subject to the whims of emotions. It is not even ruled by what others do to us. Even if they treat us poorly, we can still love them. This is a high love that chooses to put others above ourselves and results in action – serving – like Jesus’ golden rule to “do to others what you would have them do to you.” This is empowering. Our love is based on what we have in our hearts and can’t be controlled or broken by others. I hope this Valentine’s we will remember to show all -– pals, loved ones, even enemies -– some real love.