11/02/2024
FEB. 14 – Romantic or Kindness Day?
Society's norms have greatly influenced the way we perceive and approach things, often leading us to believe what isn't necessarily true. Nowadays, it's important to be as discerning as a hungry lion stalking its prey to distinguish between the superficial and the profound truth. Many traditions and customs have originated from imaginative fantasies and misconceptions that have redefined previously established practices. February 14th is known as a day for romantic gestures and expressions of love. However, if people paused to view this day in a realistic light, they might behave differently. Although many stories exist about why this day is for lovebirds, there is no universally accepted tradition, belief, or custom associated with it. Nevertheless, the importance of kindness and its positive effects are found in all the stories.
February 14 before the Renaissance era was not associated with romance or any gestures of love. Rather, acts of kindness and goodwill were prevalent. Let's start with the story of Saint Valentine, after whom this day is named. According to the most famous account, he was a priest who was imprisoned and sentenced to death by the Roman Emperor Claudius II for defying the Emperor's decree that soldiers should not be married, as it would make them weak and bad soldiers. However, Saint Valentine believed that soldiers should not be deprived of love and started performing marriages for them until he was caught and sentenced to death. While in prison, he met the jailer's daughter, whom he healed from blindness, and they fell in love. Before his ex*****on, he wrote her a letter, which gave rise to the famous phrase "from your Valentine." This shows that even in the darkest of times, Saint Valentine let kindness prevail. It raises the question of whether it was kindness that led to his love for the jailer's blind daughter, and indeed it was. Saint Valentine lived his whole life with humility and kindness, and he had a special affinity for those who were considered unimportant by society. It is a wonder how people have associated this day of love with Saint Valentine, when in fact, it was his selfless acts of kindness that made him a revered figure through the centuries.
Geoffery Chaucer
Geoffery Chaucer, the father of English Literature, is believed to have created the connection of romanticism with Valentine’s Day in his 700 line-poem titled ‘The Parliament of Fowl (Birds)’. In this poem, he refers to February 14 as the day when every bird comes to choose its mate, using it as a metaphor for lovers. This poem is often cited as the benchmark for Valentine’s Day. However, with time, the narrative of Valentine’s Day has shifted from romance to a day associated with lustful and promiscuous acts. This shift has led to misunderstandings among the younger generations.
Therefore, let us use this piece as a paradigm shift to induce kindness in our hearts on this day. Let’s reflect on the fortitude of Saint Valentine and see only good even in our darkest moments. Let the dawn of February 14 reflect our modesty and willingness to entertain the aptitude of being kind to everyone around us. Let this day be the beginning of a conversation about the societal issues that we have normalized and let us be the change we want to see. We should ensure that we include our loved ones in this journey so that we can be one in a thousand who recognize what is good and act on it. While loving oneself is important, the greatest joy lies in the smallest act of kindness we show to others, knowing that it can have a lasting positive impact on them. Together, we can change the narrative about February 14, just as Geoffrey Chaucer did with his pen.
