Friday, February 14, 2014

Valentine's Day, Chinese Lantern Festival, Cream-Filled Chocolates Day, more

February 14th, 2014, is Valentine's Day, Heart to Heart Day, International Quirkyalone Day, National Call in Single Day, Gold Heart Day, National Have-a-Heart Day, Ferris Wheel Day, Chinese Lantern Festival, Macha Bucha, Fossil Free Friday, Think About Sex Day, National Condom Day, Library Lovers Day, Race Relations Day, Pet Theft Awareness Day, World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day, National Donor Day, and Cream-Filled Chocolates Day.

Chocolate hearts.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos, nokhoog_buchachon.
Valentine's Day is here again. Do something romantic for your lover, something sweet for your friend, something nurturing for yourself. The day is about love, not sadness; joy, not loneliness. Enjoy my "Top 10 Romantic Movie Quotes" to get in the mood. Oh, and speaking of romance, today happens to bring a full moon in some parts of the world.

Heart to Heart Day, an offshoot of Valentine's Day, is an opportunity to share your heart with another. In our world of electronic communications, send your heart to someone else via ecard.

International Quirkyalone Day is a sweet alternative to the commercialism of Valentine's Day. According to Quirkyalone.net, "IQD is a celebration of romance, freedom and individuality. It celebrates true romance (as opposed to the fake versions presented to us in reality dating shows), independence, creativity, friendship, and all kinds of love - including love for yourself."

National Call in Single Day is certainly a holiday in reaction to Valentine's Day. I don't endorse this one, because there's no shame in being single. Definitely it's better to be single than to be with the wrong person. Have yourself a wonderful day, no matter what your relationship status may be.

Gold Heart Day takes Valentine's Day to the realm of philanthropy. In the UK, people buy and wear Gold Hearts in support of the Variety Club Children's Charity.

On National Have-a-Heart Day, consider adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Proponents say it promotes heart health.

How about a romantic rendezvous for two under the stars at fifty feet, on a ferris wheel with twinkling lights? Ferris Wheel Day honors George Ferris, inventor of the classic romantic carnival ride.

The Chinese Lantern Festival takes place on the fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year. Celebrations take place under the full moon, including dragons, fireworks, and games.

Buddhists celebrate Makha Bucha during the full moon day of the third lunar month.

Fossil Free Friday is observed in the UK on Friday of Go Green Week

Our friends in the UK observe Think About Sex Day on Valentine's Day. If you forgot to bring flowers or a card for your partner, however, thinking about sex might be all you do.

National Condom Day fits in with the general holiday theme, in a way. Never allow yourself to be so swept away by emotion that you forget to protect yourself against disease or unwanted pregnancy.

Books (and the arts) need love too. Take time during the day to relax and celebrate Library Lovers Day.

February 14th is Race Relations Day. Make room in your heart for those who may be different from you on the outside, but who have a human heart just like yours on the inside.

LCA (Last Chance for Animals) promotes Pet Theft Awareness Day today. Think about ways to ensure the safety of your pets - chips, secure fences, better supervision - whatever is necessary. Pets are full-fledged members of the family.

Heart disease is a type of broken heart, which is why today is World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day. How can you help? What steps can you take to become more heart-healthy?

Share your heart with others, figuratively speaking, by signing up to be an organ donor. Today is National Donor Day.

What's Valentine's Day without chocolate? Be your own Valentine and buy some chocolates for yourself! Have a glorious Cream-Filled Chocolates Day!

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