A Valentine Love Aftermath From A Single Woman

Sorry Jerry Maguire, but I complete me!
We have just endured, February 14, Valentine’s Day. Often dismissed as a Hallmark holiday, it actually has origins dating back to ancient pagan tradition. The modern custom of candy and cards, however, is far removed from those distant beginnings. Regardless of where or when it started, Valentine’s Day has become synonymous with couples, love and romance. Being single on this day often elicits expressions of pity from those not so afflicted.

This year, on a newscast the day before, reported that there was an alternative movement called Single Appreciation Day, aka S.A.D., for those without a romantic partner. Finally, they reported, there were celebrations for those unfortunate people who do not have a special someone on this pivotal holiday. What a bunch of unmitigated crap!

I can tell you, the appreciation of being single eliminates any SAD feelings. Furthermore, the ability to appreciate being single is liberating. Being single means having sole control over my free time. Being single means I can eat what I want, when I want, and where I want. Being single means full control over the television remote. Being single means the freedom to dream and follow that dream without restriction. All my choices are dependent only on my own desires, dreams, and decisions. Does that sound selfish, you bet!

The flip side to that selfishness is a connection with others that is almost 'oxymoronic'. When I am single, I am more connected to others. I have found people are friendlier to those who appear all alone. Perhaps, this is because when I am not alone my attention is on those I am with and not strangers. When I go somewhere on my own, I meet people all around me. Sometimes being single is a very crowded place to be and I love it!

 “Because the greatest love of all is happening to me. I found the greatest love of all inside of me. The greatest love of all is easy to achieve. Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.”  The Greatest Love of All written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed.

I am happy with who I am. I am excited by where I am. Life is an amazing journey. The only guaranteed constant on this excursion is that I will be with me until it ends. Other people will come and go. Events will pass. Memories may fade. If I cannot appreciate, value, and, mostly, love myself – this will be a very long, arduous trip. Fortunately, I have learned to appreciate my unique qualities. I value who I am and will never allow anyone to disrespect me again. I love who I am, how I treat others, and where I am headed. 

So, all you coupled up people, who feel that single people need to be “fixed up”…get over it! Some of us are quite content. If I meet someone one of these days – great, but my life does not revolve around having another person to “complete” me. So, sorry Jerry Maguire but I would not be interested. I’m perfectly complete as I am, thank you very much, and do not want the responsibility of completing anyone else.

I would much prefer to find someone looking for a mutually enriching and enhancing relationship, not someone who needs another to define him. Until then, don’t worry about me. Life is amazing and I make it so every day! 

Kate Okrongly

Kate Okrongly holds a master’s degree in Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. She has held leadership positions in several businesses and currently teaches mathematics at a local community college.  Her first work of fiction, entitled Scrubbed, was published in 2007, under the pseudonym of Kate James.  She is on a lifelong mission

to battle negativity and inspire others to become their best through awareness, education, motivation, and confidence. She is newly aware and appreciative of the Law of Attraction working in her life.