One More Day Alive

Every year around this time we are overrun by Cupid and his minions – the Chocolate Makers and the Florists. Not a problem – I am a chocoholic myself.  But the most important thing to realize on Valentine’s Day is how amazing it is that love is so important to us. It’s the greatest evidence that there is something out of this world going on in this one.

There must be a God, because otherwise how on earth would a concept as impractical and intangible as love actually come to be so powerful that it could eventually rule the world.

Just a few months ago we celebrated the coming of Christ. He came here to bring the new covenant – and to assure that God so loved man He gave His only son to be sacrificed for our salvation. He preached on this earth for 33 years a simple message – to love God and each other as ourselves.

In those 33 years that He walked the earth, scores of the world’s most powerful men tried to stop him from spreading His message of love.  From the Emperor who tried to prevent his birth and end his life at infancy to the Pharisees and church leaders who tried to belittle and disqualify his message, he continually thwarted all their efforts and not only to succeeded dramatically at spreading his message but was able to amass a following that would be the envy of any of today’s greatest, most successful and powerful world leaders. 

He did it all without money, without an army, without any station or backing and without offering those who followed any of the typical worldly rewards that most ambitious leaders today offer.

To the contrary, this simple man offered hardship, struggle and the realization that life on this earth would never be what we wanted it to be. Nor should we even ask or expect it to be.

In a world that was at that time centered entirely on power and how to use it, he offered a completely new idea of a life based not on domination of others or the satiation of our animal desires. But for the first time in history here was a man who suggested a new vision of existence that claimed the entire point of our lives was to love others and revel in the love of God and our brothers and sisters.

The amazing success he had with that uncommon message was echoed exponentially after his death and resurrection.  From a simple initial following of 12 apostles, his message of love has now been accepted by over 2 billion in the world who call themselves Christian.

And how many others accept His call to love even though they might say they don’t believe in Christ? How many major movies, books, and works of art nowadays cite “love” as their goal? Even the band at halftime during the SuperBowl a few weeks ago spelled out “love” in lights during their performance.

How many world leaders routinely say (at least they claim) that they are committed to love of mankind? In Christ’s era, nobody could even dream that the world’s most powerful men would talk of “love”.

Now it’s true that many of these love devotees may not really appreciate the deep commitment to and respect for the dignity of human life.  But still the realization that the majority of the world is now devoted at least in name to the goal that Christ set as the new goal of man 2000 years ago is beyond comprehension; it is nothing short of – well – a miracle.

And it’s a mighty wonderful realization to reflect on this Valentine’s Day as we reach out to love all those around us.

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ALL OUT OF LOVE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY?

Here’s 7 ways to fill up your heart!

By Columnist Chris Benguhe – Author of Overcoming Life’s 7 Common Tragedies: Opportunities for Discovering God.

If you don’t have a special someone to spend Valentine’s Day with this weekend, all the extra amor in the air is bound to get you down.

If your heart is feeling like its running on empty, then why not fill it up with what Valentine’s Day is REALLY about – REAL love – not just romance! There is a whole lot more love around you then you realize. 

Our lives are naturally enriched by surrounding ourselves with those that love us. From family to friends, and even people we meet for a moment in passing. We all can reinforce each other with love.

Here are 7 simple ways to find it and fill up your heart—

1.    Visit an older friend or relative or simply stop by a senior center to share some goodwill and cheer.

2.    Volunteer your time at a charity – St. Vincent de Paul is my favorite.

3.    Pick one person who has helped you the most this year and bring them a Valentine’s gift just because.

4.    Reach out to a neighbor.

5.    Call a long lost friend or relative just to say hello.

6.    Pick 5 people out who help you throughout the year and say thanks (hint – a police officer, your garbage man, your mail carrier and that cashier at the grocery store who always smiles and remembers your name for starters.)

7.    Spend the day smiling and saying hello to everyone you encounter.

And remember it’s not about whether the glass is half full or half empty – it’s about the value of the glass. The glass of your life is always valuable because you can fill it up with lots of love!

Read more of Chris Benguhe’s inspirational thoughts in his latest book available at Amazon through the link below-

 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0809143917?ie=UTF8&tag=beyondtragedy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0809143917

Chris Benguhe is a columnist for the Catholic Sun and the Author of “Overcoming Life’s 7 Common Tragedies: Opportunities for Discovering God.”

ALL MATERIALS ABOVE ©2007 by Chris Benguhe

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