Love as a Priority This Valentine’s Day, I Choose Love.

Valentine’s Day is often viewed as a celebration of romance, but at its heart, it is a reminder to honor love in all its forms: romantic love, self-love, healing love, and hopeful love. Whether you are sharing life with a partner or walking your own path, this season offers a gentle invitation to begin again with love as a priority. New beginnings do not always require new people; sometimes they need a fresh perspective.
When love becomes our priority, something beautiful shifts within us. Old quarrels lose their power as we choose forgiveness, compassion, and understanding. In both new relationships and long-standing ones, love is nurtured through thoughtful words and meaningful actions. We invest in relationships by communicating openly, listening deeply, and allowing others to feel truly seen and heard. Supporting the dreams and goals of those we love is one of the purest expressions of care. As Lao Tzu wisely said, “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
Living with love as our guide means showing up each day with intention, openness, and a spirit of grace. Every moment becomes an opportunity to choose kindness over fear and connection over distance. Living with gratitude plays a powerful role in this way of living, as our thoughts shape our feelings, and our feelings guide our actions, quietly creating the better life we desire.
I also believe in setting attainable goals for myself, like eating a bit better, walking more, resting longer, and continuing to grow through learning new skills and exploring creative interests. These small, steady intentions give me something to look forward to each morning. Checking them off the list brings a sense of accomplishment and renewed motivation. With a positive mindset, we begin to trust our ability to meet the goals we set for ourselves.
I wish us all a beautiful Valentine’s Day filled with love, clarity, and meaningful new beginnings.
Naomi Young has been a teacher in Santa Clarita for over forty-three years, with experience in Jewish studies and bar and bat mitzvah training. She is also a seasoned writer and multimedia artist. She can be reached at naomiyoung7@yahoo.com or through her website, www.naomiyoung.com