Sarah Warsi

So this weekend in Toronto started off with Valentine’s Day and will end with Family Day. There is plenty of love to go around for sure. When it comes to Valentine’s Day – while I appreciate the meaning behind the celebration, I am of the crowd that thinks every day should be a day to show your love and gratitude for your loved ones. However, it’s still nice to have a day singled out where you may just get showered with an extra special dose of the ‘mushies’. We just shouldn’t wait for that day to come to do so.

I am also still sad about the passing of Kobe, his daughter and the seven others in that terrible helicopter crash last month. This is also another reason why I feel conflicted about Valentine’s Day. At any given time, someone is going through something: a really tough time, a silent battle, grieving the loss of a loved one(s). It’s not always flowers and chocolates and Hershey’s kisses – not by a long shot.

One thing I love to see which doesn’t happen often, is when someone shouts out a loved one on social media – just because. For example, Ava Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon‘s daughter, posted the sweetest message last summer simply admiring her mother. No particular reason of celebration. Just simply because. And you can’t get any realer than that. Also, kudos to Reese for some great parenting!

Anyways, the point is that as we continue to get reminded of the true fragility of life, we must really soak in each moment with gratitude and humility. This might sound cliched, but we can never get reminded of it too many times. And although you won’t be compatible with everyone you encounter in your life, mutual kindness, love and respect hold no boundaries.

We should have a day called Universal Love Day. And that day should be every day.