Even curmudgeons like me like love and hearts...

I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day.  Some of it has to do with the commercialization of emotion—love exists even without chocolate and flowers.  Some of it has to do with the gloating of the Haves and the misery of the Have-Nots in the romance department.  Some of it is doubtless the remnant of middle school drama.

Not that I don’t love love.  And hearts!  But love and hearts both need to be exercised every day, not just on one magic calendar square.  Here are five things to do for love and five things things to do for hearts, all of which can be done any day.

For love:

1.     Give hugs.

2.     Take out the trash.

3.     Listen, whatever your loved one is saying.

4.     Laugh.

5.     Show up on time.

For hearts:

1.     Dance.

2.     Run around, maybe with a ball or Frisbee or kid or dog or friend.

3.     Swim.

4.     Try out those cardio machines at the gym (elliptical, Nordic track, rowing…)

5.     Get sweaty with a loved one, in your choice of activities!