“A single day dedicated to love—whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Children’s Day—cannot fully capture the essence of what love truly represents. While these designated days provide an opportunity to pause and celebrate our affections with tokens and festivities, they should not replace the everyday expressions that genuinely nurture and sustain our relationships. Therefore, the phrase “one day of love is not enough” implies that a solitary day of affection, no matter how sincere, falls short of building or maintaining a meaningful relationship or conveying genuine love. It suggests that love demands ongoing effort, consistent actions, and a more profound commitment than what a single day can provide.”
There’s a remarkable song from the 1980s that continues to resonate with me every time I hear it. The song “Love Changes Everything” is steeped in the rich tradition of British musical theatre. Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart, it made its debut in the musical “Aspects of Love” in 1989. This production is inspired by David Garnett’s 1955 novel, which delves into the intricate romantic dynamics between a young Englishman and his beloved. Following its release as a single, Michael Ball’s rendition of the song achieved remarkable success, reaching No. 2 on the UK charts in 1989 and propelling him into mainstream stardom. The song quickly became one of the most successful musical numbers in the UK during the late 1980s, significantly contributing to the reputation of “Aspects of Love” despite the musical itself facing mixed reviews. The song beautifully illustrates how love can reshape our perceptions and experiences, offering a poignant reflection on human relationships. But does love change everything? What lies at the core of this song, and what message is it trying to convey about the nature of love in human experience? What more profound message is the song attempting to communicate regarding the nature of love in our modern society?
The essence of the song lies in a profound exploration of love’s transformative power, highlighting its remarkable ability to change the trajectory of one’s life. It captures the many ways in which love can reshape an individual’s existence, altering personal priorities and prompting a complete reevaluation of one’s identity. However, in contemporary society, the song “Love Changes Everything” appears to be losing its significance for many individuals. Once celebrated as one of life’s most transformative experiences, the essence of love seems to have diminished to merely a single-day event. An increasing number of people now engage with love primarily on designated days such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day, or wedding anniversaries. Historically, occasions like Valentine’s Day used to serve as an opportunity to strengthen relationships and nurture authentic connections. Today, this celebration is often reduced to a one-day event. Unfortunately, this single-day occasion is usually overshadowed by a culture that emphasizes superficial expressions of affection. We become ensnared in a whirlwind of commercialized displays, where the focus lies predominantly on extravagant gifts and grand gestures that lack true sentiment. A single day dedicated to love—whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Children’s Day—cannot fully capture the essence of what love truly represents. While these designated days provide an opportunity to pause and celebrate our affections with tokens and festivities, they should not replace the everyday expressions that genuinely nurture and sustain our relationships. Therefore, the phrase “one day of love is not enough” implies that a solitary day of affection, no matter how sincere, falls short of building or maintaining a meaningful relationship or conveying genuine love. It suggests that love demands ongoing effort, consistent actions, and a more profound commitment than what a single day can provide.
Special occasions such as Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day, and Valentine’s Day offer excellent opportunities to express love, admiration, and appreciation for the important people in our lives. These occasions, often characterized by genuine gestures such as thoughtful gifts and cherished moments spent together, honor and celebrate the unique bonds we share with our loved ones. Whether it’s a surprise dinner, a heartfelt letter, or a carefully selected gift, these experiences can create lasting memories that reinforce our connections. On such days, we take the time to acknowledge the sacrifices and hard work of women while also celebrating their achievements and advocating for gender equality. However, it is essential to remember that these special occasions should not serve as a substitute for the ongoing expressions of love and care that are vital to maintaining strong relationships. Relying only on significant days to express affection is not enough. It can lead to a decline in the daily gestures that foster deeper, more meaningful connections. Therefore, it is the consistency of these everyday interactions that builds a solid foundation of trust and emotional support, allowing relationships to thrive beyond the confines of special occasions. Expressing our love for our mothers should extend beyond a single day dedicated to honoring them; it should be an integral part of our daily lives. By making a conscious effort to show our affection regularly, we not only strengthen our bond with our mothers but also cultivate a deeper understanding of love and appreciation in all our relationships. This continuous expression of love can take many forms, from heartfelt messages and quality time spent together to small acts of kindness. These seemingly impactful yet straightforward gestures—through kind words, thoughtful actions, or considerate deeds—serve to enhance our emotional connections. Such practices significantly enrich our relationships with those we hold dear, creating an environment where trust and emotional intimacy can flourish. Embracing this approach brings joy and comfort to those we cherish, ultimately fostering more resilient and nurturing connections.
The recent celebration of Children’s Day was a vibrant and engaging event featuring a diverse range of activities designed to honor and delight our children. Across the country, various venues hosted spirited festivities, attracting participation from government officials, school administrators, and enthusiastic parents eager to celebrate this special occasion. The events included games, performances, arts and crafts stations, and educational workshops, all designed to offer children both enjoyable and enriching experiences. Local leaders seized the opportunity to deliver speeches, underscoring the importance of nurturing our youth and addressing pressing societal issues that affect children today. Parents and guardians inundate social media channels with photos and tributes, conveying their love and appreciation for their children. While it is vital to honor our children, I would like to draw attention to a deeper issue surrounding Children’s Day celebrations. Each year, we dedicate a special day to acknowledge and celebrate our children, recognizing their significance and the essential roles they play in our lives. However, once this day concludes, many of us quickly forget the commitments and promises we made to support and nurture them. Our declarations often risk becoming empty gestures devoid of genuine substance. Quite often, our expressions of appreciation are little more than fleeting moments of recognition unsupported by consistent action or engagement throughout the year. Even when we passionately profess our love and commitment to our children, our daily behaviors often fail to align with those sentiments. After the celebration ends, the urgency to improve our children’s lives, advocate for their needs and genuinely listen to their voices often fades away.
Our children deserve better than this because they symbolize the future and serve as the cornerstone of every society, embodying immense promise, potential, and dreams that necessitate continuous nurturing, protection, and guidance. Their development is essential in shaping the communities they will eventually lead. However, in numerous regions worldwide, particularly in impoverished areas of Nigeria affected by insecurity and systemic inequality, countless children endure daily struggles. These challenges often encompass insufficient access to quality education, limited healthcare resources, and exposure to abuse and neglect. Given these circumstances, it is clear that dedicating merely one day each year to honor children is inadequate. While such a celebration holds significance, it cannot tackle the complex and multifaceted challenges these children encounter daily. To truly make a difference, we need lasting solutions, heightened awareness, and a steadfast commitment to change, ensuring that every child’s rights and needs are addressed throughout the entire year—not just on this singular day of recognition.
Children’s Day goes beyond a single-day celebration; it serves as an essential platform for raising awareness and addressing the myriad challenges that children encounter globally. Today, millions of children confront serious issues such as abuse, violence, and the harsh reality of lacking access to necessities like education and healthcare. This day transcends a mere date on the calendar; it represents a profound call to action. It invites every adult—parents, educators, policymakers, and community members—to engage in introspection and reflect on their crucial roles in cultivating a world that is not only safe but also just and nurturing. On this occasion, we are encouraged to advocate for changes that will enable every child to pursue their dreams without obstacles, realize their full potential, and live with the dignity they inherently deserve. Celebrating Children’s Day serves as a call to unite our voices and efforts in tackling the systemic barriers that impede children’s growth and well-being. It reminds us of our shared responsibility to ensure that every child has the opportunity to flourish in an environment filled with love, support, and respect.
Love is a profound and intricate emotion that merits celebration and expression not only on special occasions, such as anniversaries and holidays, but throughout the entire year. It is disheartening to see that many individuals often display their affection primarily for appearances’ sake, curating a version of their relationships for public viewing. Beneath this façade, however, genuine connections are frequently absent. Consider married couples who, despite marrying for many years, find themselves separated in different rooms, possibly due to unresolved conflicts or emotional distance. This serves as a stark reminder that not all relationships are as harmonious as they may appear. There are even cases where spouses struggle to find the energy to share something as simple as a ride to church, emphasizing the disconnect that can develop over time. Similarly, many families today face the challenge of balancing their hectic lives, often leaving little time for meaningful interactions with their children. They find themselves consumed by work commitments, social obligations, and the everyday chaos of life. However, on special occasions like Children’s Day, a markedly different narrative often comes to the fore. Parents, who may have been preoccupied for much of the year, suddenly emerge as vocal champions of their children’s accomplishments, celebrating them on social media and expressing affection for the world to see. This contrast highlights a deeper societal issue: a tendency to showcase love and connection during moments that seem more focused on public display than genuine emotional engagement.
The truth is that love ought not to be confined to special occasions such as holidays or anniversaries. Instead, we should embrace it as a fundamental aspect of our daily lives. Love should be intricately woven into the fabric of our everyday interactions, influencing how we communicate, express gratitude, and offer support to one another. By consciously integrating love into our daily routines, we not only enhance our relationships but also cultivate deeper emotional connections and foster a greater sense of understanding among individuals. For instance, taking the time to share a kind word, offer a thoughtful gesture, or lend a listening ear can have a profoundly positive impact on our interactions. These small acts of love, when performed consistently, help build trust and reinforce bonds, making it easier to navigate challenges together. Furthermore, openly expressing appreciation in various forms—such as through heartfelt verbal affirmations, personalized handwritten notes, or thoughtful small surprises—plays a significant role in reinforcing the value of those around us. These gestures serve as reminders of our gratitude and recognition of their importance in our lives. Rather than relegating expressions of love to isolated and occasional moments, we should strive to make love a continuous journey that enriches our emotional well-being. This dedication to viewing love as an ongoing journey not only deepens our connections but also fosters a positive atmosphere that benefits everyone involved. By doing so, we foster a culture of appreciation that empowers individuals to thrive, ultimately creating a ripple effect of kindness and compassion throughout our communities.
Love is fundamentally a relationship, a dynamic and ongoing connection between individuals, rather than a mere event celebrated on a specific day. When we approach love as if it were an isolated occasion, we risk stripping it of its richness and depth, reducing it to fleeting moments that lack tangible meaning. In contrast, when we focus on nurturing concrete, loving relationships, we create powerful examples that others can emulate. Therefore, instead of perceiving Valentine’s Day as a solitary occasion fraught with unrealistic expectations—often resulting in disappointment for many—we can choose to change our perspective. Let’s seize the opportunity to reflect on the countless everyday moments, milestones, and shared experiences that characterize years of love together. This may involve recalling the small acts of kindness, the profound conversations, and the support exchanged during difficult times, all of which together weave the intricate fabric of a lasting relationship. By doing so, we honor the true essence of love, embracing the ongoing journey rather than fixating on a single day. Love is fundamentally a relationship, a dynamic and continuing connection between individuals, rather than a mere event celebrated on a specific day. When we approach love as if it were an isolated occasion, we risk stripping it of its richness and depth, reducing it to fleeting moments that lack tangible meaning. In contrast, when we focus on nurturing concrete, loving relationships, we create powerful examples that others can emulate. These concrete expressions of love are not abstract ideas; they manifest in everyday actions and shared experiences that resonate deeply with us.
The question we now face is: How and when should we meaningfully celebrate significant occasions such as Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or Children’s Day?
Should we confine love to only a few specific occasions, such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day, or Children’s Day? This thought-provoking inquiry demands a deep and thoughtful evaluation, as it touches on the essence of how we honor, value, and uphold the dignity of individuals within our society. Profoundly celebrating love and connection extends far beyond the traditional tokens of appreciation, such as flowers, gifts, or social media tributes. It calls for genuine actions that reflect who we are and what we stand for. True celebration is rooted in authentic appreciation, deep reflection, and a sincere commitment to the people we cherish. These special days, which honor our mothers, children, and the relationships we hold dear, should serve as meaningful reminders of our ongoing responsibilities towards them rather than simply being isolated occasions. Moreover, the essence of these celebrations should inspire us to incorporate values such as love, respect, justice, and care into the fabric of our everyday lives. It is essential to recognize that the significance of these days lies not only in appreciating a person or a group for a single day but in the commitment to embodying these values consistently. A true celebration of these occasions should encourage us to engage in actions and behaviors that uplift and support those we celebrate, fostering a culture of appreciation and care throughout the year. By doing so, we honor the intention behind these special days and contribute to building a society that champions the dignity of all individuals.
Acts of kindness — like a simple “thank you,” a listening ear, or a spontaneous gesture of love — play a vital role in nurturing connections. It is within these ordinary moments, shared during casual conversations and daily routines, that we establish the foundation for lasting bonds. While love changes everything, it demands continuous attention and nourishment through thoughtful actions and sincere gestures every single day. These daily interactions, whether grand or subtle, are essential in building a strong familial bond. For instance, sharing meaningful yet simple experiences, such as gathering around the dinner table for meals, fosters a sense of belonging and connection. Participating in family activities — whether playing games, taking walks, or enjoying weekend outings — helps create cherished memories that endure for years to come. Furthermore, the simple act of being present for one another—whether by listening attentively, offering a helping hand, or providing comfort during challenging times—constitutes the foundation of a supportive family environment. It is through these intentional, everyday interactions that the true strength and unity of a family are nurtured and cultivated over time. When love is consistently expressed in these small yet impactful ways, it establishes a solid foundation for resilience, trust, and deep-rooted affection that can withstand any adversity. Ultimately, it is the cumulative effect of these daily gestures that truly solidifies the bonds of love within a family, ensuring that relationships remain vibrant and interconnected.
Love, in its most authentic form, should transcend the realm of transient emotions or singular moments marked by extravagant gifts and romantic gestures like heart-shaped balloons. It should represent a deep, enduring commitment that evolves over the course of a lifetime. This commitment should involve not only the initial sparks of attraction but also the gradual unfolding of shared experiences, challenges, and triumphs that bond two individuals together. Love, which expresses itself through daily acts of kindness, understanding, and support, should foster a profound connection that withstands the test of time. It should be a journey filled with growth, patience, and dedication, where both partners nurture and inspire each other, building a rich tapestry of shared memories and dreams that enhance their lives together.
Rev. Ma, S. J., is a Jesuit Catholic priest of the North West Africa Province of the Society of Jesus. He currently writes from Beirut, Lebanon.
