Valentine’s season is in full swing. You can walk down any Walgreens aisle and see the many gifts that catch one’s eye. You can also pop into a local department store and see the beautiful red clothing set apart for easy Valentine’s outfit shopping.
As you can see, this blog is about all things love. It is part of a 3-part “Love” series I am doing in the month of February. Some of you may be wondering how Paula comes up with the blog themes. When I am spending my quiet time with the Lord, I journal and take note of what the Father is impressing on my heart.
It made me think a little further about why we love. I will share a story about a girl who probably does not even remember this event that left an impression on my life. But I am going to share it with you. I hope it impresses in your heart the way it did me.
Some of my favorite thing I adore is Jesus, my husband, kites, daisies, Superga tennis shoes, & gymnastics.
About 14 years ago, I worked as an occupational therapist in an outpatient setting. Back in those days, clinicians were able to see patients together. I was paired up with a very sweet speech therapist. To explain to people not part of the rehabilitation world, seeing a patient together meant the speech therapist and the occupational therapist could see a patient simultaneously and simultaneously work on skills with a patient.
At the start of the session, the speech therapist brought out this cool Mr. Potato Head, and I noticed that this was no “regular” Mr. Potato Head. It was a Disney “Mickey Mouse” Mr. Potato Head. It caught my eye, and I continued to work. After taking turns working with our patient, the speech therapist broke out a box that had bubbles. But these bubbles were unlike any other. They were Mickey Mouse bubbles. I was already being tickled by asking what was up with the Disney-themed toys, and the icing on the cake was when I saw her pull out a Disney Pen while she wrote her notes.
I could not hold it in any longer. I asked the speech therapist, “Do you have a thing for Mickey Mouse?” She quickly shifted her position in sitting with a great, big smile and said, “why, of course, how can you tell I am obsessed?” We later talked about all the rides she went on when she visited Disney World and how much she loved Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
You may be asking, what does this story have to do with love? I am getting to it, I promise. The Mickey Mouse adoration did not stop there. My colleague had “Mickey Mouse” stickers to give her patients when they were done. Besides that, when it was the end of the day, she waved at me with her Mickey Mouse watch and Dooney & Bourke Mickey Mouse Purse.
The conclusion I came up with is that this gal truly loves Mickey Mouse, and she is not afraid to show it. I would even say she knows exactly what she enjoys, and her life reflects that.
I started thinking about my life then and did not have an affinity that big for anything. Taking this thought a step further, what is reflecting from my life to others at this moment in my life, 14 years later. I cannot say I like just one thing.
Some of my favorite thing I adore is Jesus, my husband, kites, daisies, Superga tennis shoes, & gymnastics. All in this order. So, not just one thing, but multiple things.
This sweet speech therapist was reflecting her admiration for Mickey Mouse! She was not pouting or being negative during her work day. Mickey Mouse brought her joy.
Whatever you choose to love, SHINE BRIGHT WHILE LOVING!
What is your life reflecting to others? Is it a favorite color or a favorite TV Show? What are your conversations taking you nowadays? Are they negative or positive? Are they sad or joyful? Your attitude can shift the tone in a room. It is all about perspective. I understand we cannot always be happy. But we can choose to be joyful in the moments we have to make a difference. I am sure that speech therapist may have had some trial going on in her life and quite possibly missing a loved one. But she did not let it show. She made that therapy session the best time that patient ever had with “Mickey Mouse” themed activities galore!
I learned from her to shine bright. It is ok to let your personality shine with the things you love. Even when what we love most may be pecuilar to others (such as myself-because I am not a Mickey Mouse fan), you still own it and have joy doing it.
This Valentine’s season, I leave you with this question. What do you love? This can be a person, a hobby, or even a simple thing.
Whatever you choose to love, SHINE BRIGHT WHILE LOVING!
I will encourage you to share your favorite thing in the comments below. Let’s start a conversation about LOVE.
Your love for that one thing can be the very thing that brings others joy!
Next . . .
Part 2: Why We Love, and why it matters? . . .released on February 8, 2023 . . .
Enjoyed the reading? Share your comments with me below⬇️!
One response to “Part 1: What we love, let it shine!”
Paula Villarreal 
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