Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and I know I’ve been freaking out on what to do for my family and my significant other.
Amidst all the tacky candy hearts, untouched boxes of cherry cordial chocolates and the stuffed animals (shudder), I still feel that Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for something that is worthwhile. Oh yeah, now you may be rolling your eyes and thinking “Great, another crackpot trying to revamp National Singles Awareness Day.” And who the deuce has time or valuable monies to blow it all on semi-creepy stuffed “I love you” bears? Being the cheapskate and cynic that I am, I decided to end the self-inflicted stress of this ridiculously simple holiday. Valentine’s Day represents one thing: LOVE.
No s- – -, Sherlock.
Now, if you’re single, taken or somewhere in-between, love can apply to just about anyone. Ask yourself this: Who do you love? No, better yet, who can you love? Our romantic other is a good start, but try getting creative. It could be a crazy roommate, the grumpy old neighbor man down the street or an exhausted but polite checker/server. Love can come in all forms and we could do a whole lot of good for someone who needs it.
The epiphany came upon me when I was in the Barnes & Noble parking lot. The sun had already gone down and I was by myself. As I was warming up my crappy Junebug Chevy Tracker, I spotted a man who was waving and walking toward me. My first thought was “RAPIST!!” And against every sensible fiber in my body, I hesitantly rolled down my window to see what the guy wanted. All he said was “Hey, just wanted to let you know that your left rear tail light is out.” OK, so I over-reacted. That guy did me a small act of kindness by not letting me drive about and be a cop-attracting hazard on tail light-less wheels.
Are you catching what I’m getting at here?
Here’s a creative act of kindness that happened just recently. While waiting in an über-long Starbucks drive-up line, the person in the Toyota in front of me had anonymously paid for my drink and continued on. What a pleasant surprise for me when I drove up to pay at the window (dammit, I should of ordered a venti instead of the tall size!). Being inspired by the nice Toyota person in front me, I paid for the next person’s mocha, the person behind me. And so the circle of life goes on.
As a college student, it’s hard for me to want to spend extra money *cough, latte money, cough* or find the time to do the acts of kindness. Here’s a brainstorm list:
-Feed an expired meter.
-Open the door for someone.
-Leave a thank-you note for the mailman, but only when he leaves packages.
-Make your best recipe and give it someone you care about.
-Say “hello” to walkers/runners/cyclist that make eye contact with you. You can do it.
-Let someone who’s in a hurry go in front of you in a checkout line.
-Call your mother.
-Sincerely compliment three people in one day.
-Write a note to management of someone who treated you nicely or outstandingly served you (servers, checkers, sales clerks…etc.).
-Smile at someone who isn’t.
The possibilities are endless. Your gifts for V-Day can be small kindnesses. Don’t let your Valentine’s Day be filled with pink fluffy bears and blahs. So who are you going to be kind to and NOT give cheap chocolates?
Opinions expressed in editorial and opinion articles are the views of individual NIC students. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Sentinel, North Idaho College, or any other organizations or groups there-in. North Idaho College is not responsible for the accuracy of statements or opinions shared.
