The Snow Goose need not bathe
to make itself white.
Neither need you do anything
but be yourself.
Lao Tse
Whether you are with your loved one this Valentine's Day, or on your own, you can be celebrating Divine Love. So what is Divine Love? What makes it any different from regular old love? And how can you celebrate it?
When I first gave personal consultations, I kept a stack of The Game of Life And How To Play It books by Florence Scovel-Shinn to give to each person I saw. The first edition was published in 1925. Florence Scovel-Shinn (1871-1940) was an American artist and book illustrator who became a spiritual teacher in her middle years. Under 100 pages long, The Game of Life is packed with wisdom and the "winning rules for success and happiness".
One of the sayings from the book goes:
Divine Love now dissolves and dissipates every wrong condition
in my mind, body and affairs.
Divine Love is the most powerful chemical in the universe
and dissolves everything which is not of itself.
Around 14th February, I am aware of a sense of spring happening. The days are growing longer. It is as if my own sap is rising. New growth, expansion, greater light is coming to the northern hemisphere. I also like to think of a re-awakening of love as we emerge from the darker reaches of winter.
Whether you are with a loved one and close family, or on your own, you can attune to more of your own Divine Love. How would you recognize it?
Divine Love is an aspect of your human spirit, indefatigable, always present and available to be called upon. Divine Love takes you above your mundane concerns to a sense of rightness about who you are, and what is happening with you; a world of greater vision, perfection and peace. It is the energy of love at its finest and most pure.
In that field of Divine Love, we feel embraced, tender and safe. We know that our needs are heard, and solutions are available. An energy of flow and connectedness is evident. We feel at one with ourselves and all of life around us. Divine Love is characterized by openness, giving and receiving.
Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.
Mary Baker Eddy
One of the greatest expressions of Divine Love I have come to understand is that of forgiving. No emotional issue can ever be too entrenched for the pure love of forgiving to heal and release. This energy is so fine that it can penetrate the densest of human emotions and bring about joyous freedom and vitality.
There are two parts I suggest to celebrating Divine Love this Valentine's Day. The first is to attune to the highest quality of loving within you. Find a place, if you can, where you can be quiet. You might start with some deep breathing to relax and become aware of your inner world. Take some time to meditate and contemplate Divine Love. Listen to your own sense of Divine Love present within you. Be aware of your heart beating in the stillness. Imagine yourself perfectly surrounded and protected by this special presence. Let any cares or concerns be dissolved. Smile, and be aware of your joy.
The beauty of this process is one of coming into the fullness of your own vitality, peace and presence. You take yourself beyond neediness. Anything you receive now comes as a bonus, an additional blessing.
Divine Love floods my consciousness with health,
and every cell in my body is filled with light.
Florence Scovel-Shinn
The second part of celebrating Divine Love is to express it. You may wish to communicate this love to those special and precious to you, using your creativity, through written or spoken words, by touch, producing art in some form that is meaningful or memorable in some way.
On your own, you might take your joy into nature with a walk, a song or dance. Do not underestimate the presence of your Divine Love and the impact it has. By your perception of the goodness you see, you communicate the love that you are. How you see your world, the love in you recognizes love in many forms around you. Listen to your intuition. You may feel moved to connect with one or more others. The Divine Love we extend to another has a way of being amplified for us.
Being at peace, connected to your inner Beauty, you may touch into the miracle of the Being that you are. This gift, expressed into the world, can help to awaken others to their own Divine Love.
Where there is great love there are always miracles.
Willa Cather
As Valentine's Day draws to a close, you might like to take a few moments to reflect with gratitude on all that has taken place for you. Know that Divine Love can be celebrated any day you choose.
Divine Love is given to everyone,
just as the sun shines on everyone.
John-Roger
Have you found an unusual Valentine's gift for a loved one? What is the best Valentine you have ever received? How could you express Divine Love in a new way this year?
Please feel free to leave a comment below, or contact me at anne@annenaylor.com

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The way you describe Divine Love makes me think of the feelings I have during and after a good meditation. Congratulations for illustrating such an enigmatic concept. I think we all know Divine Love instinctively but we've trained ourselves to ignore or mistrust our own innate knowledge unless it has stood up to scientific investigation or the rigors of logic. Trust yourself and trust the power of love.
With love,
little brother
I love what you say, especially "Trust yourself and trust the power of love/"
Thank you for your serene presence here once again.
With love,
Anne
Anne + love = Divine love
thanks for sharing this delightful blog!
You ask:
Have you found an unusual Valentine's gift for a loved one? A dozen roses for my Deb - might not be unusual - but she smiled and loved them
What is the best Valentine you have ever received? We were in Dartmouth, Devon, UK and we won the Valentine lottery! it was fun and cheerful
How could you express Divine Love in a new way this year?
By loving everyday and opening my heart in unexpected ways.
You are such a Divine Giver. The Divine Love in you finds all kinds of ways to share your love, your enthusiasm, your encouragement.
I so appreciate your kind words.
Your "opening my heart in unexpected ways" is very adorable. You never know when those opportunities will show up. How very fun!
Huge Valentine's blessings and love to you,
Anne
Thank you for commenting here.
I so agree with you: "life can often be effortless". With Divine Love, it is as if our path ahead is smoothed out for us. Subject to our choosing it.
With love and appreciation to you,
Anne
happiness,
pema
Thank you very much for bringing your gentle presence here. I am happy to know that the meditation was good for you.
Many blessings of love, Light and joy to you,
Anne
Thank you very much for dropping by. I may draw on Florence Scovel-Shinn's books again sometime in another post.
With love,
Anne
I celebrate the Divine Love that I am/We are this day and all days.
Love and blessings to you,
Judith
You and your loving are a joy. And yes, to Forence Scovel-Shinn. Her books have such great energy.
With love and appreciation to you,
Anne
Sometimes when the words divine love seems to nebulous I imagine what a perfect love would be like.
No conditions
Goes beyond race creed or colour, situation or circumstance
Forever present
Gives without any thought of reward
Happy Valentines day everyone
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
Thank you very much for commenting.
I hope your Valentine's Day this year was more enjoyable and that you found some ways to celebrate yourself, and the love that you are.
With warmest good wishes,
Anne
I had written a story for tween girls last year about the history of Valentine's Day rituals. In Rome, valentine's day (of sorts) was celebrated to honor the goddess Juno. Women would put their names in a jar in the town square and men would draw one and wear that name on their sleeve, and theoretically be connected for the year- hence the phrase, "Wearing your heart on your sleeve."
St. Valentine apparently was a man who stopped Pope Claudius II from making marriage illegal... hmmm!
I like the divine exploration of love on this day- hearts and flowers aside, love is all we need.
Kari
Great to see you here! I had not heard about that story. It seems like there are a number of stories about Saint Valentine. I always appreciate your talent for research. It impresses me!
As you so rightly say, love is all we need. How delightful we get a day to remember it.
With love,
Anne
A love song for your sweetness. Please share.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3lAztMhIWI
Thank you for your comment and the sweet link.
With love and blessings,
Anne
I've been through minks
I've been through it all
Love stinks
Peter Wolf