Love is in the Air on Valentines Day

Well, here we are in February and many people are celebrating St. Valentines. It is a good time to think about love and relationships to put a bit of warmth in our lives after a long winter.

Today, I would like to look at what love is.  The English language only has one word for love and it is used interchangeably for almost everything.  We can say I love my husband and I love Chocolate. 

Both are using the same word and it is only by the context that we can ascertain the difference.  The Greeks, on the other hand, have four different words to describe love.  Each word gives a different nuance to the word that helps us understand more fully what is being spoken of.

I want to look with you at the four Greek words for love.
These are:
1)    Eros
2)    Storge
3)    Philia
4)    Agape


Eros:
The first type of love we are all familiar with. Our English word Erotica is derived from this word. Sadly, some people never get passed this type of love and base their relationships purely on sexual attraction.  This is the type of love that merchandisers tend to play on with the public trying to get us to buy their products to make us more attractive to the opposite sex.  Unfortunately, aromatherapy is being misrepresented by these same people also to traffic their products. You would be surprised to see how many products are being offered specifically to attract the opposite sex using aroma.

Studies have been done trying to prove the theory of attraction through Pheromones based on animal instincts.  I personally feel that attraction of a life partner is much more than the basis of his/her smell.  In fact, it was impossible for me to fall in love with my fiancé based on smell as we met through ICQ on the Internet. It was impossible for smell to play any part in our meeting. Our relationship was based on character and friendship which later developed into love.  You can say we met each other and we just clicked ;-) (pun intended)

So, the point is that erotic love is not a deep meaningful love but superficial and based on sexual attractiveness only.

2) Storge:
This type of love is what we find in families between the different members.  It is the love of mother, father, brothers and sisters.  This is a much stronger type of love and involves commitment.  “Blood is thicker than water” and most people will do all they can to stand behind their families.

3) Philia:
This type of love is pertaining to what we might call a brotherly love.  Not brotherly in the sense of family, but in the sense of kinsmenship. This is the type of love that makes us want to help the little old lady cross the street safely and watch out for our fellow man.  It is a good type of love and helps us to see others as needing our love but, sadly, it can often also be a selfish love.  Many people only show love to others if they can get something out of it.  Thankfully, most people love out of pure motives.

4)Agape:
The fourth type of love is called Agape love.  This is the highest form of love there is. This is an unconditional love for others in spite of their character flaws and weaknesses. It is a difficult love to obtain simply because we, as humans, are usually concerned more with ourselves and how the world and people around us affect us. In order to love in the agape way, we must overcome our selfishness and look to the needs of others.  Prime examples of this type of love are people like Mother Theresa, Cardinal Leger etc.  These are people who look out for others interests above their own. It is a special kind of love that needs to be cultivated for it to grow.  We can only achieve this type of unselfish loving as we put the needs of others as a priority.

Without getting religious here, I just want to tell you there is a verse from the Bible that fits well with this concept. It is called the Golden Rule. Luke 10:27, says “Love your neighbour as yourself” and  "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them,  for this is the Law and the Prophets."  -Matthew 7:12 .  All relgions of the world share in this same philosophy. 

One thing that stuck out to me as I read these is that it says to love your neighbor as yourself.  Sadly, many people in this day and age, don’t love themselves.  If you don’t love yourself how can you love others?  Unconditional love needs to start with you. You must learn to accept the fact that you are a special and unique person.  Yes you have flaws, we are all human, but these flaws do not make you less of a person.  Learn to love yourself in spite of your shortcomings and accept yourself for who you are.  As you love yourself you will find it easier to love others.

The second thing that stands out is that the Golden rule says to do what you want others to do to you.  This is not the same as “Don’t do to others what you don’t want them to do to you.”  It is not a position of avoiding doing evil or harming others but an actual DOING of something for others.  This requires action on your part. It says “DO unto others”.  It is when we realize that we reap the rewards of love as we involve ourselves in the lives of others, making their lives easier and more pleasant, as we would want our own lives to be. 

Enjoy the month of Love and remember always to love yourself and to DO something for someone each day.

Gift Basket Ideas for the Man in Your Life

Are you looking for a good gift idea for the man in your life?  Are you never quite sure what to get him?  Does he have t-shirts and ties you have gotten him hidden in the back of your closet?  Even if your man is hard to buy for, there are great ideas out there.  If you cannot think of a good gift for your man or are tired of giving him the same old thing, consider a gift basket.  Most men have some type of hobby.  It might be hunting, fishing, golf, or grilling out.  No matter what your man likes to do, chances are you can find a gift basket that will make him happy!

You can purchase gift baskets online, but if you do not have enough time for it to be shipped, you can check your local stores.  There may be stores that specifically make gift baskets listed in the phone book.  If not, you might contact a local florist as many of them also make gift baskets for special occasions.  If you cannot find a local shop and you do not have time to order online, do not panic.  Making your own basket is easy enough.  You can purchase a basket at any crafts store, use a blanket, apron, or paper to line it and stuff it full of goodies for your man! 

Here are a few gift basket ideas:

Grilling Gift Basket - Most men love to grill out.  If this describes your man, a grilling basket is a great gift idea.  You can fill it with many things but you may want to start with a cute apron.   You can go with one that is a cute pattern, like fish, chili peppers, or camouflage.  On the other hand, you may be able to find an apron with a cute saying like “Kiss the Chef” or one a little more risqué like “Barbecue Naked - Show Off Your Buns.”  On top of that, you can place grilling utensils such as a fork, spatula, brush or tongs.  You can also throw in your favorite bottle of barbecue sauce and a nice bottle of wine to enjoy when the grilling is done. 

Gone Fishing Gift Basket - If your man likes to fish, he will love a customized Gone Fishing gift basket.  Not only will he enjoy the items in the basket, but also know that in giving him this, you are also giving him a day of fishing!  You can line this basket with paper and pile in all his fishing favorites.  One nice item to add would be a portable fishing scale/tape measure so he can see exactly how big his catch is.  You can also load the basket with scented bait, a trout blaster hook, lures, a bait dip net, a pair of Titanium Pliers – the possibilities are endless.  You might even throw in the new reel he has had his eye on!  You can also fill his basket with snacks for your angler like toasted sesame seed crackers, beef jerky, salted peanuts, and Oreo cookies.  If you can find some cute fabric with fish on it, use that to make a bow on top of the basket.
NASCAR Gift Basket - NASCAR fans love almost anything NASCAR gift related.  You can fill your man’s basket with his favorite driver’s toy replica cars or a coffee cup with his favorite driver’s number and colors.  You can add to the basket a hat, t-shirt, bumper stickers, coasters, magnets, or a key chain.  Does your man like to play darts?  There are even NASCAR darts!  If you really want to give him something extra special, order tickets to his favorite NASCAR race ahead of time and hide those in his basket.

Hunting Gift Basket - If your man likes to hunt, many things can be used to fill a gift basket.  Look for picture frames of ducks, deer – whatever he likes to hunt.  You may be able to find a clay pigeon letter holder, a bullet box he can keep on his desk to store paper clips, or a DVD on how to be a more successful hunter.  You can peruse your local hunting goods store to get plenty of good ideas.

No matter what you man likes, he will love a basket filled with goodies of his favorite hobby or sport.  He will also love knowing that you took the time to get him something you knew he would really enjoy!

Valentine Candle Gift Basket

Come Valentine Day and one can see chaos among lovers in selecting a gift for their partner. Valentine Candle Gift Basket can be one of your perfect gifts for your loving partner. With Valentine Candle Gift Basket you can easily communicate your love, emotion and care for your partner. The basket includes scented and non-scented candles, oil warmer, candle holder as well as non-candle products. Candles are one of the unique and pure gifts that you can give to your partner. With the help of Valentine Candle Gift Basket you can make your next valentine very special and memorable.

You may prefer your nearby Candle Gift Shop, but wait, this time why don't you purchase valentine candle gift basket online? Candle Gift Idea will surely enhance your valentine day. It is absolutely cheaper and has the quality of uniqueness. The gift basket varies as per your convenience and your budget. But the commodity that you get is absolutely designed for your satisfaction. You may have heard that candle is a symbol of truth and faith. So why don't you present candle gift basket to your dear ones?

Each Valentine Candle Gift Basket is designed uniquely so as to communicate your feelings. The candle's shape and categories also varies if you wish for. The valentine candle gift basket that you receive through the online services is one of the top collections and has an excellent fragrance quality with superb candles and holders. Each basket is wrapped nicely and carries a message that you want to communicate.

The candle when burn creates romantic and lovely atmosphere that one desires for. It is the best opportunity to pamper your partner with unique valentine candle gift basket and to light your future. The valentine candles, which are offered in gift basket is manufactured by reputed manufacture and have delicate and unique designs.