Today is Valentine’s Day and the Universe is sending me lots of messages of love. I have a wonderful partner for whom I’m beyond grateful, but that’s not the kind of love this day has me thinking about.

I awakened this morning thinking about grade school kids and the valentine routine. For most it will be great; for a few, not so much. I thought of the little boy who comes to school with bed head and sometimes needs a bath. I thought of the little girl who doesn’t have a best friend and feels like she has nothing to share in the daily gossip. I prayed that somehow, today, every child would experience the joy of friendship and the peace of self-acceptance. May a valentine of kindness find every child.

My reading from A Year of Miracles by Marianne Williamson and meditation brought me to these thoughts:

May every woman grant herself love and acceptance; every man feel he’s good enough.

May every parent listen and celebrate as her child tells her who he is.

May every human experience acceptance just as they are.

May we all take steps toward our truest selves.

May we not judge ourselves and others. Forgive.

May our world leaders be mindful that the decisions they make affect hearts and souls–real people–not statistics.

May our world experience kindness and tenderness today.

Amen