Commercialised non-genuine declarations of love versus the small things

I don't do Valentine's. I don't like commercialised non-genuine declarations of love. Real love is nothing to do with money or things. It's to do with daily actions and behaviour - buying the cheese or the milk that someone drinks, resting your hand on someone's arm for a second as you pass them by. It's all the little signs and gestures that show that someone cares. It's the little things that can almost go unnoticed if you don't have your eyes open. So often, we're blinded by the mirrors, the smoke, the gold. All these big 'gestures' hide the things that really matter.

I have spent the last few weeks with people I love and who love me. I have enjoyed the easy sparkliness that their presence brings to my life. No difficulties, no fears. They reassure me and make me feel safer. I need to feel safe right now as I embark on something that suddenly feels so big and overwhelming.

No doubt after a good cry on the plane on Monday, I'll sleep a long time, wake feeling disorientated and a bit scared, then the excitement will kick in. When I step off that plane and smell the strange smells, feel the unfamiliar heat of the air and see the colours and the beauty of a new place, the old familiar travel bug will be back to walk by my side and keep me company.

So, my message for this weekend to everyone: keep safe, keep smiling and keep your heart open to beauty and love.