Remember when “Pop Songs” were catchy and didn’t have  ONE  sanitazed radio version and an SECOND Parent Advisory CD or non-edited download version?  Beep….beep. Bleep…bleep.

Sing along if you remember this song…………..
Cupid, draw back your bow, and let your arrow flow, straight to my lover’s heart for me…”

Today, some would interpret this lyric as an act of violence. Shooting arrows.

Look at the state of the world today. Rocks are flying in Egypt. A congresswoman is shot in the head. A motorist killed at an intersection over an incident of road rage. Tempers flair at grocery stores over who was first at the Deli Counter. People. You all will get your cold cuts and sliced cheese— eventually.

 Roberta Flack sang a duet with Donny Hathaway in 1972…….Where is the Love?”

Where is the love in 2011?

In the days leading up to Valentine’s Day I see all sort of faux sentimentality.  Boxes of heart shaped chocolates; cupcakes at upscale bakeries made with yummy butter-cream frosting. |Think beyond chocolates and cupcakes.

 Offer a kind word to somone lonley. This is an act of love. For those living in the snow belt, shovel a neighbors driveway. This is an act of love. Turn to the person behind you at the counter at your local coffee shop and say…”coffee today is on me. No strings attached.” This is an act of love. Forgive. This is an act of love.

Many people think of love in mushy gooshy, kissy-wissy terms.

No.

Love comes from the soul.Love is an extension of self. It is being kind. It is giving with no expectations. It is doing. Sharing. A hug. A smile. A hand on a shoulder. Words of encouragement. Connecting with others.

So Cupid. Get busy. A lot of people, nations, and factions can use your love.

And please, when aiming your arrow, do not shoot me in the ass. That hurts.

Brendan Ben Feeney