Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday of the year. It’s a day for lovers, and I truly love everyone. Obviously, there is some commercialism tied to Valentine’s Day, as with all of our holidays, but gifts don’t have to be flowers, or diamonds, anything expensive or expected. Gifts can be a simple expression of how you feel. Better yet, gifts can be something you can go do with your Valentine.
One of Jen’s favorite ways to spend Valentine’s Day (and any other day, for that matter) is to go to the movies. In the past nine years we have been together, Jen and I have seen many movies that are worth seeing, as well as a few that are worth forgetting. No fault of mine either way, as I have never picked the movies we’ve seen.
Some of you who know me might find this surprising. Most of my adult life, I wanted things a certain way: my way. Meditation and mindfulness training, among other things, taught me the simple fact that there are other people on this planet besides me. Choosing not to participate in the “what should we see?” discussion was a way to let Jen have fun, while forcing me to let go and stop trying to control everything. Sometimes we even play a game where Jen gets me into the theater without telling me which movie we’re about to watch. I’ve actually come to like the surprise of not knowing, and enjoy trying to guess based on the trailers and the other people in the theater.
Our movie dates have become a great form of entertainment for both of us. On a date with Jen, I can relax and let go, with one pointed focus—the movie screen. I withhold my judgement about whatever movie we’re about to watch, and allow myself to be fully entertained. This moment-to-moment pure awareness of life unfolding is not only the essence of mindfulness, but the essence of entertainment.
At some point, and maybe it’s part of getting older, we realize that everything we do is entertainment in some way. Jobs, tasks, and the people around us capture our attention, and we choose how we react. Looking beyond chores and enjoying the activity, whatever it is, can allow us to shift from the mundane to the enjoyable, and be entertained.
Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to do something you love with someone you love. When you’re both in the moment enjoying that thing, whether it’s eating a delicious meal, skiing, getting a couple’s massage, or just watching Netflix on the couch, you’re strengthening your mindfulness practice and your relationship.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
