Come for inspiration and author’s insights to my February book signing of Shifting Sands Short Stories tomorrow on Feb. 3 at 1 pm at LowellArts.
I will share writing tips on how to write about love, with or without a happy ending.
Lowell, MI -Hearts and cupids are everywhere this time of year, but what if you haven’t been bitten by the love bug? Or if your sweetheart is hundreds or thousands of miles away? Singles often feel out at a time when it seems the whole world is focused on couples making romantic plans and buying Valentine’s gifts for each other.
EW writer Sarah Harmon in Paris
If this sounds familiar, don’t despair. You already have the perfect date for the holiday. This person will never take you to a restaurant you hate, they will never buy you jewelry you find incredibly tacky, or bring you roses when your favorite flowers are daisies. So who is this mysterious Mr./Ms. Right? Yourself!
People often lose track of the importance of loving and accepting not only others, but themselves. When you love who you are, others can’t help but notice the confidence that radiates from within. They will inevitably be drawn in, wanting to get to know you better. Take a moment to consider a person you know who obviously dislikes themselves. Chances are, he or she has a very negative attitude about live in general. While Grumpy Cat may be adorable, being around a human version of her for very long can be extremely emotionally draining. If you just realized that the Grumpy Cat in your life is you, here are a couple of things you can do to start changing that.
Enigmatic orchids
First of all, stop being afraid to do things alone. If you don’t want to spend time with you, why would someone else? At least once a month, make a point to do something you enjoy for no reason other than that it will make you happy. Take yourself out for coffee with a good book or go for a walk in a park. It can even be something as simple as making or buying a meal you love and watching your favorite movie for the hundredth time. Who cares if everyone else you know is so sick of that movie they could scream? This is a date night when you don’t have to care what the other person thinks because there is no other person.
Perhaps even more important than embracing alone time is dealing with negative self-talk. We all have times when we wonder how we could have possibly done or said something so stupid or look in the mirror and think we look like the Goodyear Blimp even though people around us may think we could be a supermodel. Next time you catch yourself in one of those moments, stop. Take a deep breath. Now, for each piece of negative self-talk, try to think of three positive things about yourself. Negative thoughts can’t be avoided completely, but they can be neutralized by reminding yourself that even though you made a mistake, it doesn’t define who you are. You are a beautiful, amazing person who has the potential to make the world a better place, but only if you give yourself a chance.
This Valentine’s Day, try not to focus on everyone else having dates with their significant others when you don’t. Take yourself out or cook a dinner you love, maybe invite some single friends over, and devote the evening to some fun and relaxation that’s all about you. Give yourself one of those green facial masks, have a glass of wine or sparkling grape juice, watch a fabulous romantic movie, and fall in love with yourself.
Local Valentine’s Day events that can be attended with or without a partner
Thursday, February 12
7-8:30pm Valentine’s Dance Workshop at Armentality Dance and Yoga Education
May Day is a big day in Czech Republic. Today all the beer gardens officially open. It is also known as the day for love, as well as the entire month of
May.
It has been the subject of many poems, books & other works of art.
The most famous anthology dedicated to love in May was written by Czech poet Karel Hynek Macha.
May Day pole with ribbons in Bannister, Michigan
Copyright (c) 2014 story and photo from Bannister by Emma Palova
May in Czech is known as the month of love immortalized by poet Karel Hynek Macha and other writers. In May lovers can be found in parks after the long winter. Also May dances are held in many villages. They’re known as Majales and tall Maypoles are erected and decorated with ribbons. These traditions are now coming back after they were suppressed under communism. Also May prayers called Majove are held outdoors when it is nice by simple chapels.
A castle park in Vizovice where a big part of my book takes place.
Typical flowers for May are lilacs. Some have grown into trees and have been cross bred into different colors. So you can find a blossoming lilac tree in lavender, burgundy and white. The style of many parks was based on English gardens with strict design and hedges such as the one in the picture Vizovice. A lot of my book takes place in this small town of not even 5,000 people in the Moravian region. I went to first grade there, and spend many years growing up in Vizovice, and then taking care of my grandparents.
There are a lot of legends tied to the park and the castle. In the upper part right by the castle, there are two huge statues of ancient fighters with swords. The legend has it that each year, they grow closer together. Then when they finally meet, that will be the end of the world.
Czechs like tales, legends and stories. I don’t know who came up with the one about the statues.
authoremmapalova 