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The Ancient Greeks had several different kinds of love. The kinds that are commonly celebrated on the day of love, also known as Valentine’s Day, are Eros, Ludus, and Pragma. Respectively, these words refer to passionate love, playful love, and enduring love. However, a day to celebrate love in the modern day should be more than a day for couples and should include the other kinds of love too.
The day was originally called Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival of purification and fertility, which dates back to 500 BC. Pope Gelasius I officially determined Feb. 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 496 AD. According to tradition, Valentine refused to obey the Emperor Claudius’ command that banned young men from getting married. Emperor Claudius thought single men would make better soldiers, and the Roman legions proved central to imperial power. So, he outlawed marriage for young people. Valentine believed in the institution of biblical marriage, and he started secretly performing weddings for couples, which led to him being arrested and killed.
However, while the day started as a day for couples, messages to love yourself seem hollow with so much commercialism focused on marketing towards couples. At some point, all the hype, panic, and anger towards others on a day meant for love makes all of it nothing more than uncontrollable, obsessive love; Mania, as the Greeks called it.
Philautia is the kind to focus on most if you are ever lonely on Feb.14, every other day of the year too. Philautia is described as self-love and is one of the main things the Greek Goddess Aphrodite is worshipped for in the modern day. Loving yourself is the first step in finding a healthy and sustainable relationship.
A study published through Utah State University suggests that having confidence in yourself can be attractive to potential romantic partners. More importantly, you will be happier, have more initiative, and feel more optimistic about the world, according to an article published by Science Direct.
Love for yourself can come in many forms. Some people find that journaling about their day and how things made them feel can be helpful for them. A good start for anyone is giving a genuine, heartfelt compliment to yourself while looking at yourself in the mirror. When you can be kind to yourself, loving others can be easier.
Love is universal and touches all parts of your life. A day of love should be celebrated as such.
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