Where’s the Love?

In honor of Valentine’s Weekend, here is a reprint of my “Step Up To Success” column from the February edition of the Step Up Women’s Network newsletter:

About ten years ago, two weeks before Valentine’s Day, I walked up to the counter at a card store and handed the sales clerk my stack to check out. As he counted my cards to ring up at the register, his jaw got closer and closer to the floor as his eyes widened. “Boy, you sure do have a lot of boyfriends!” he said. At first I was slightly taken aback by his comment until I realized that he mistakenly thought the 52 Valentine’s cards I was buying were all for romantic interests. Let’s just say he assumed I got around. A lot.

As I tried to explain to him that I had many, many people in my life that I loved, I realized that I just wasn’t getting through. He wanted to believe that I was just hot stuff, and who was I to burst his bubble?

However, that incident left an indelible mark. Why does our society have such a limited definition of love? I have always adored Valentine’s Day, not for its romantic inclination, but because it celebrates love. Anyone can have an abundance of love in their life if they open themselves up to the possibilities of where it can be found.

Love can be experienced as many different feelings, from deep caring for another person to altruism, well-being, kindness and empathy. Really, why limit yourself to just one “type” of love? Love is one of those rare feelings to take on an infinite number of forms in our lives. Be it between a parent and child, siblings, cousins, best friends, fellow volunteers or mentor and mentee.

I have celebrated many Valentine’s Days without a significant other, but rarely felt like I was missing out as I cherished all of the love that was already in my life. My husband may not appreciate this, but if you’re putting all your eggs in one love basket, you may end up with a bunch of cracked eggs.

So maybe it’s time to stop searching for or idealizing that one true love. Love is infinite, love is abundant. And one thing I know for sure – the more you share, the more you get.

So yes, Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday and second only to my birthday as my favorite day of the year. It’s a time to celebrate everyone that I love and count all of the blessings that I have in my life. So if you’re still thinking that Valentine’s Day is only for googly-eyed lovers and long-married couples and you’re asking yourself, “Where’s the love?,” I invite you to consider another option.

Love ALL the ones you’re with.

 ©Liz Dennery Sanders 2010

 

 

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Join me at the 6th Annual Step Up Inspiration Awards

Join me on Friday June 5th at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for the 6th Annual Step Up Inspiration Awards, honoring Marcia Cross, Lisa Ling, Lauren Zalaznick and corporate honoree, The Container Store. This star-studded luncheon, fashion show and luxury handbag silent auction never fails to impress – and all for an amazing cause!

Step Up Women’s Network is a national, non-profit membership organization dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls. Through teen empowerment programs for underserved girls, women’s health education and advocacy, professional mentorship and social networking opportunities, Step Up ensures that women and girls have the tools they need to create a better future.

Step Up is on the cutting edge of women’s social philanthropy. The organization’s strength stems from members’ ability to leverage their personal and professional skills and relationships to give back to the community. The programs are designed to engage women in a way that inspires a life-long commitment to responsible, philanthropic involvement encompassing hands-on volunteer work and leadership opportunities.

This is your last chance to purchase tickets for this stylish affair. Join Tori Spelling, Mena Suvari, Aisha Tyler, Rachel Leigh Cook, Garcelle Beauvais Nilon, Melissa George and more as they sit front row for a fashion show by ARCADE by Rochelle Gores and peruse fabulous handbags by Dior, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli and more at the silent auction. Meet the teen girls who participate in Step Up’s programs and hear their touching stories firsthand.

You can purchase your tickets online or call 213-382-9161 for more information. I look forward to seeing you there!

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Stand On The Gas

This evening I attended a fundraiser for Shane’s Inspiration, an organization dedicated to eliminating bias against children with disabilities. Their mission is to create Universally Accessible Playgrounds and programs that integrate children of all abilities socially, physically and emotionally, fostering acceptance, friendship and understanding.

My father-in-law was honored with a Visionary Leadership Award for the time he has dedicated to championing Shane’s Inspiration as the President of the Board of Commissioners of the Recreation and Parks Department of the City of Los Angeles and Chairman of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation.

I had the great pleasure of meeting and speaking with one of the other honorees, the lovely and inspirational Cody Unser. At 12 years old, Cody was paralyzed by Transverse Myelitis, a spinal cord inflammation. When she was just 13, she and her mother formed the Cody Unser First Step Foundation, which is dedicated to providing quality-of-life programs for those suffering from paralysis.

Over the past decade, Cody and her foundation have formed a TM research consortium spearheaded by Johns Hopkins Hospital, and after becoming scuba diving certified, formed “Cody’s Great Scuba Adventures,” which buddies children and adults of all abilities with divers to get certification. Cody is a political activist who has testified before congress and lobbied nationwide for stem cell research, following in the footsteps of her friend,  the late Christopher Reeve.

The daughter of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr., Cody follows her Dad’s words of wisdom to, “Stand on the Gas.” At 22 years old, she believes in continuously moving forward and living life to the fullest, no matter what the perceived limitations. Her desire to turn obstacles into opportunities is truly an inspiration to us all. Thank you Cody.

©Liz Dennery Sanders 2009

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