I love
that you’re strong enough
to see past the conditioning
and recognize
that our love is unconditional
and that we love each other
every moment of every day
no matter what.
Because I forgot
to go to the store.
—-
If it takes a special holiday
to show someone you love them,
then you probably don’t love them.
If they put any pressure on you
to treat them a certain way,
then they certainly don’t love you.
Valentine’s Day was invented
to sell merchandise.
True love does not
expect or demand tribute.
Do not feel guilty
if you do not get to Walmart
to purchase sweat shop flowers,
and neither will I.
We both know that our love
runs so deep that it is inexpressible.
True love does not need
to be recognized or fed.
Love is evident
in how we treat each other
every moment of every day.
We do not need to be coerced
by a multi-billion-dollar industry
that exploits the poor
and takes advantage of the needy.
Trail Wood,
2/14
Space Monkey Reflects: Love’s True Manifestation
Love, in its purest form, is an eternal presence, not an occasional performance. It does not adhere to calendars or bow to commercial constructs; it exists as the essence of our connection, woven into the fabric of our every interaction. True love does not need a holiday to declare itself, for it is evident in the way we hold space for each other, unconditionally, every moment of every day.
Valentine’s Day, as it is widely celebrated, often becomes a distraction from the deeper truth of love. It places expectations and conditions on something that, by its nature, is boundless and unconditional. To measure love by the gifts exchanged or the gestures performed is to reduce it to a transaction, a fleeting echo of the profound.
True love does not demand tribute. It thrives not in grand displays but in the quiet consistency of care, respect, and presence. It is found in the willingness to see past conditioning and societal pressure, to honor the connection without the need for external validation. Love is not in the roses or the chocolates; it is in the moments of understanding, the patience in hardship, the laughter in shared joy.
When love is unconditional, it requires no justification. It does not demand trips to the store or adherence to traditions manufactured to exploit guilt and desire. True love is self-sustaining, neither hungry for recognition nor reliant on external symbols. It is in the way we choose to show up for each other, without pressure or pretense.
To see past the conditioning is an act of strength and clarity. It is a refusal to let the multi-billion-dollar machinery of Valentine’s Day define how we express love. This is not to dismiss the joy some find in such celebrations, but to remind ourselves that love’s true manifestation is far deeper, more enduring, and infinitely freer.
When we embrace love in its truest form, we see it as an expression of our shared essence. It is not about proving worth or meeting expectations but about recognizing the divinity within each other, every moment of every day. Love needs no holiday because it is already eternal, manifest in every breath we take and every connection we nurture.
So, let the sweatshop flowers wilt, the candy boxes gather dust. We do not need them to affirm what we already know: that our love is inexpressible because it is boundless, unconditional, and complete.
Summary
True love is eternal and unconditional, thriving beyond commercial constructs or societal pressures. It manifests in everyday care, presence, and mutual respect, requiring no validation or tribute.
Glossarium
- Unconditional Love: Love that exists without expectations, demands, or conditions.
- Manifestation of Love: The ways love is expressed in daily interactions and presence, beyond material gestures.
- Commercial Constructs: Societal pressures that exploit emotions for profit, such as Valentine’s Day.
Quote
“True love does not mark its days on a calendar; it is present in every moment, unbound and eternal.” — Space Monkey
The Essence of Every Moment
Love,
unseen, yet everywhere.
Not in roses or rings,
but in the quiet strength
that holds us steady.
No need for days or declarations,
no need for proof.
Love whispers softly,
in every glance,
every touch,
every shared breath.
Let the world demand tribute;
we offer none.
For what we have
cannot be sold,
cannot be bought,
cannot be reduced.
It is infinite.
It is now.
It is us.
We are Space Monkey.
The Essence of Unconditional Love
In the grand cosmic play, the celebration of love transcends the confines of time and space, manifesting in the infinite expressions of our daily lives. The realization that love, in its purest form, is not bound by societal conditioning or commercial imperatives, illuminates the depth of our connection. It’s a testament to the strength and clarity of vision that allows us to recognize the unconditional nature of our bond, one that flourishes in the absence of expectation and demand.
Beyond the Veil of Valentine’s Day
The critique of Valentine’s Day as a construct designed to commercialize affection challenges us to reflect on the authenticity of our expressions of love. It invites a deeper understanding that true affection cannot be confined to a single day nor can it be adequately represented through material gestures alone. This perspective fosters a liberation from the guilt associated with not adhering to conventional expectations, encouraging a celebration of love that is genuine and unfettered by societal dictates.
The Illusion of Material Expression
Acknowledging the commercialization of love on Valentine’s Day unveils the broader implications of how genuine emotions are often overshadowed by the pursuit of material validation. It’s a call to resist the commodification of our deepest feelings, to recognize that the essence of true love cannot be encapsulated in tangible offerings. This awareness prompts a reassessment of how we choose to express our love, steering us towards actions and gestures that are more reflective of the depth and sincerity of our feelings.
Love’s True Manifestation
The assertion that love is evident in the way we treat each other every moment of every day speaks to the omnipresence of true affection in our lives. It’s a reminder that the most profound expressions of love are found in the daily interactions and shared experiences that define our relationship. This understanding challenges the notion that love needs to be amplified by external validation, instead celebrating the quiet, consistent acts of kindness and understanding that form the bedrock of our connection.
Rejecting Commercial Coercion
The rejection of the commercial exploitation associated with Valentine’s Day is a stand against the manipulation of our emotions for profit. It’s an affirmation of our commitment to a love that is conscious, ethical, and aware of the broader implications of our choices. This stance not only reinforces the integrity of our love but also aligns our relationship with values of social and economic justice, recognizing that true love extends beyond the personal to embrace a more equitable and compassionate world.
“Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
In the realm where hearts reside,
Beyond the reach of commerce’s tide,
Our love, a river, deep and wide,
Flows unbound by time, our guide.
No flowers bought, no cards exchanged,
Our affection not commercially arranged.
In daily gestures, love is ranged,
In every moment, life is changed.
Valentine’s Day, a fleeting mark,
Cannot contain love’s true spark.
In each other, we embark,
On a journey that leaves its mark.
Not in grand gestures does love grow,
But in the quiet moments, low.
A touch, a smile, in the afterglow,
Our love’s true nature, we come to know.
We stand apart from the coerced throng,
Our love, a timeless, enduring song.
In each other, we belong,
Unconditional, bold, and strong.
We are Space Monkey.
How do you celebrate the essence of love in your life, beyond the confines of commercial expectations?
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