A Valentine's Day Challenge

As much as we try to pretend like a day of love isn't being celebrated today, we can't help but be very aware of it.

Today I challenge you to make this be a different Valentine's Day than any you've ever experienced. I challenge you to do something different than you've ever done before... to be spontaneous, to be fun, to enjoy life! Do something for someone else today and find joy in the fact that life isn't about you (or whether you're single or not)! Be crazy, be bold, be open to new things. Create memories, seize opportunities and live freely.

A few suggestions:

• Purchase or hand-make valentines to take somewhere random (a nursing home, a homeless shelter, a hospital, a hospital waiting room, a drug rehab center, a dorm on campus). In addition to giving them a little cheer, be willing to spend time with them. Listen to their stories, offer them a hand to hold, encourage them with warm smiles and laughter. 
• Purchase or hand-make valentines and play 'May Day'! Instead of leaving flowers on people's doors, leave them personal valentines. Ring the doorbell and run away (or, if it's late, just leave it there for them to find later on). Bless someone anonymously today. 
• Buy a ridiculous Valentine's Day stuffed toy/animal and take pictures with it all over town with your friends. Get strangers in on the action, and as you interact with them get to know them a bit in the process. Find out ways you can encourage them, pray for them and share your own story with them. 
• Dress up in unusual attire and go to dinner--be sure to ask your waiter how they are and tip more than you normally would! 
• Go to a gas station and brighten up their day (offer to clean their bathroom, sing them a diddy, pay more for something than it costs and tell them to 'keep the change') 

The options are endless. My only stipulation would be to do something that's not about you today...in a way that you wouldn't normally. As we say here at camp "go big or go home"! Get off your couches, stop watching sappy romantic comedies that make you feel lonely, stop studying for an hour, tear yourselves away from social media outlets...and be a blessing. 

May you encounter much love today, as you seek to love someone other than you.

(Feel free to add your own suggestions and make sure to let us all know what you end up doing!)

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