Valentines Day means different things to different people.  Most people connect it with the word “love.”  How does this “love” thing work?

First, as always, we need to define what love is.  What is it?

Love means different things.  It tends to reflect one of two concepts:

• A platonic, non-romantic nor sexual, but selfless attachment to another;
• A passionate or strong romantic attraction

A related concept is that of loving one’s self.

The legend of St. Valentine goes back to a Christian martyr who performed secret marriages.  The February date may come from a Roman festival which paired young people.  Chaucer then linked the month to the mating season of birds, often a symbol of this celebration.

Love might be romantic, familial, platonic, or in our work.  Love is never simple.  And it can be expressed in several ways, even in terms of professional stuff.

Love can be focused toward self, or toward others. It can relate to actions (like acts of service), benefits, and biological or spiritual responses.  It seems to be a most powerful, recurring theme at the root of human experience.

It can be expressed in our personal relationships, and in our businesses.

Appraisers provide a service. Does that service only benefit the appraiser? Or can we provide this service in an attitude of doing good for others?  Clearly, there is a mix of actions of service to ourselves, and service to others.  It can benefit me.  And it can benefit you.

And if it works, it can be of benefit to both of us.  Hmmm.  Maybe worth some action on my part . . .

Ah ha!  So love can be more than “just a feeling.”  It also involves actions, attitudes, and principles.

Certain principles of spirit form the foundation of “good” love (versus “jealous” love).  These include (among others):  honesty, integrity, humility, courage, optimism, and awareness.

The enemies of love include: unfaced fear, resentment (regurgitated anger), “unsupported” pride, indifference, and selfishness.

Loudly proclaiming love can be a disaster – while doing love is the solution.  Doing love must come from action.  Action applies the principles of spirit noted above.

It has been said that “selfishness is the root of our problems.”  Selflessness is the opposite.  Magically, enlightened selflessness serves not only the person we serve, but serves ourselves.  Peace.

As we do a good job, as we strive through this awareness of intent and competence. We deliver it through honesty, smart humility, and integrity.  We provide and claim good service.  And the world rewards us.  I like being rewarded.  My rewards are the result of my service.

Yes, my Valentines love can be expressed through being of service in my profession.  That is my goal.

Make Valentines day your Valentines year!