February 13

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. ― Martin Luther King Jr.

It is almost the commercial day for love so I thought I would make my post on love early for I am like you in the fact that love is needed all the time in every corner of our hearts. If you do a search of the effects of love and hate on health, you will find that one leads to positive health and the other leads to disease and illness. Love is at the top of my gratitude list.

For this image we were sitting on a park bench in Amsterdam's Vondelpark last summer and I was on a mission to capture the biking in Amsterdam. She paused to verify I took the shot I wanted but apologized that she had to keep going as she was late for an appointment. You can see the love in her.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

These are strong words on love. Every phrase is powerful and challenging. I think we are up to the challenge and we can be the example for those who did not grow up in a loving environment or have forgotten the benefits of love.

Be the change you want to see in the world. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Peace.