Online Reporter
Fadzayi Maposah
Correspondent
WELCOME to the month of love! We are already in the second month of 2026.
Today is already day 38 of the year.
Is it still a new year? When do we stop saying we are in a new year? February, the month of love comes with its expectations and anxieties too.
One may start doubting if they are being loved enough just by what they see on social media.
Social media puts society under pressure.
Some of the gifts that people give one another are enough to throw one off balance.
February is also my birthday month.
Actually tomorrow is my birthday.
Thank you for the birthday wishes (see how expectant I am?) I have two sisters, Tendi and Gamu, also born in February.
It has been my siblings’ birthdays since January 31, my brother Tawanda’s birthday.
In the space of two weeks we get to celebrate four birthdays! Gamu is a St Valentine’s baby.
What social media has done is to show us in vivid detail how some people are loving one another.
These people love each other in such big ways that if one is not careful, they may get into a comparison mode and end up upset and bitter, wishing that they could be loved the same way.
Then there are those who are loved in big ways who may be taken aback, and yet wish that things had been done differently.
This month of love, take time to understand how your loved ones want to be loved. It is something that I am learning fast that people may not want to be shown love the way that I want to show them. It takes guts to actually approach someone and ask how they want to be loved.
It is important to really study the lobe languages, and then also study the people with whom you intend to show that love.
There are five specific love languages.
The love languages are words of affrmation, quality time, receiving gifts, physical touch and acts of service.
These love languages are about how people express and feel loved.
Make time to read more about these love languages so that you learn and apply them.
There is so much literature that we can read and get to understand love. While the red roses are nice, they may not be appreciated the same by different people.
Remember too that background and exposure also play an important part in how we appreciate gifts.
When it comes to gifts, I decided that I will ask those around me for a list of the things that they would want and I will choose from the list.
I always let the people know that the list should not be in any order.
My main love language is acts of service.
I love having people go out of their way just to do things for me.
No matter how small. I appreciate the acts.
I love being helped.
I guess it takes a lot of understanding to know what exactly I want done.
Getting home and seeing my laundry done and put away always puts a smile on my face.
While I am cooking and then someone comes into the kitchen to assist even by chopping an onion, I feel special that the task has been made easier.
It may appear as if chores are being done to assist, but I see beyond the chore.
It is the consideration to lessen what needs to be done that makes me feel loved.
This month of love, take time for acts of service for people in need.
There are people who have homes that are not the standard they have always wanted.
The reason why their homes may be in that condition is because health conditions do not allow them to spruce their homes.
Rather than comment on the bad state their home is in, make time to clean as much as you can.
You do not have to do everything, you can just remove the cobwebs, open the windows and mop and dust so that they are able to live in a better environment.
The frustration of not being able to do what was once easy is real. Also ask what they would like to be assisted with, and when try to involve them in the task so that they do not feel left out.
Being sick is not easy.
Imagine not being able to do what was once an easy task.
I have noticed that when I sweep the yard these days, I do not do it with the same speed that I used to about five years ago.
Taking care of the sick is a lot of work that should be done with due diligence as and when it is necessary.
People tend to gossip about the state of other people’s homes, rather than divert attention to an act of service that can reduce their burden.
This month of love, it is important to do some acts of service.
There are people who have been postponing health appointments.
They have many reasons or excuses why they do so.
They are afraid of what the health appointment may reveal.
They are afraid that they may not be able to cope with a diagnosis that may be life changing.
Why not offer to serve and say that you are willing to be there with them as they go for their appointment? You can even ask how they want to be assisted so that they can go for that health appointment.
May your act of service be a great way to say I love you!
#Month of love
