Valentine's Day - Do think about it

February 14th, this date has become synonymous with heart-shaped balloons, exotic cakes, fancy candles, expressive cards, witty SMSes and of course, money making. Did someone say love, perhaps yes, but it seems love is only secondary. It's more about how expensive my gift is, or whether or not I have someone to give it to. But surely, there's much more to Valentine's Day than just that.

I disagree with those who disregard it as an influence from the West, because it's not a bad thing. After all, it celebrates the most common and most beautiful of all human emotions - love! What I am against is the mass hysteria over celebrating the day, when only half the people understand the true meaning of love. The media hypes it and its commercialisation fills a few pockets, but in my opinion, it must not be manifested only in physical forms; it must be felt! We must feel grateful to those who love us, and that includes our parents, siblings, friends, and that special someone, and must cherish those or that which we love.

Most importantly, we must regard it as a day of stock-taking, of making an account of whether or not we've loved more than being loved in the past year.

Think about it and tell me what you think.