In February we celebrate the energy of love, with Valentine’s Day, smack dab in the middle of the month. And what an auspicious time to celebrate this, amidst the social storm that is affecting so many of us! With such powerful energies of division and disharmony at the forefront of the national political narrative this winter, let’s take a humble and sweet moment to step beyond division, and beyond the walls of rigid sociopolitical constructs. Instead, let’s take a moment this February, with love, to greet our neighbors, not fear them; to be One human family, not Other. To be friends. To break bread. Let’s celebrate the dedication pouring forth from so many of our community members.

This can be seen in the dedication of those who keep working as the federal system shuts down, those whose livelihood won’t make it to their pockets for the remaining duration of this uncertain period and yet who nevertheless dutifully carry out their obligations of service, demonstrating their human spirit by participating in unity, community, and small but powerful acts of harmony.

Whether we are in Washington DC or here in humble McKinley Co, our standing firm at our posts is an expression of a deeper layer of the multifaceted people that we are…and that at the core we are all simply wanting to love one another and to be loved. Again, what an auspicious time, as the red and pink hearts of affection and connection start to appear each February on windows, on desks, and in mailboxes. These are symbolic of none other than love, whose energy is both expansive and warming, and stands alongside the expression of spring’s coming and hope’s ripening.

How do we nourish ourselves in this time of continued dedication and service, even when many of us aren’t being reimbursed for our services? (After all, money is simply another form of energy, and when energy exchange becomes a one way street, even if only temporarily, we will find ourselves depleted.) In these times of seemingly giving and not receiving, Chinese Medicine would have us nourish the Heart organ system, which governs things such as love and communion, and is ruled by the element of fire. Interestingly, bitter flavored foods nourish the Heart organ system. (Perhaps this makes sense. For the fullest experience of sweet, you need to understand that of bitter.)

Two excellent and fitting bitters for February that you might consider enjoying, and that nourish the Heart organ, are the bitter flavors of dark chocolate and coffee. Enjoy them! However, do consume these in moderation, given that both dark chocolate and coffee can over-stimulate the Heart organ system if over-consumed. Additionally, if you find yourself over-stimulated, taking some quiet time for mindful reflection on your relationships with yourself and others can act in parallel to nourish this organ system, as well as provide insight into our troubled times.

Similarly, another way to take care of ourselves in these challenging times is through consuming items that are of a more fiery nature (fire being ruler of the Heart). Foods with such properties include ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cherries, basil, and rosemary. So if you’re contemplating a treatie for your sweetie, consider something like dark chocolate covered cherries, or sweet-and-savory rosemary ginger scones.

When we take steps to care for ourselves in these uncertain times rife with often difficult change, we can more sustainably continue our service to one another. When we then take steps to serve one another, we choose to evolve the human race in a direction that upholds union, harmony, and friendship. Thus, we take steps to co-create a better future for the generations to come. So, do take time to enjoy some of the flavors that can help you stay on the half-full side, rather than the half-empty.

Regardless of your politic, your party, your identity, we’re all striving to love our neighbor, thus honoring this month that is ruled by love. And in honoring love, we honor one another as equals.

forLoveofLife