Happy Global Friendship Day

 Roses from One World Flowers

The celebration of Valentine's Day is both about romantic love and universal friendship. It's not that the love between two people is not important. (It is for me. I have a wonderful wife with whom I celebrate this day). It's just that a global approach to this day is just as important. I like the name for the holiday in Mexico and Venezueula: Día del Amor y la Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship).  In other Latin American countries, this same commemoration occurs on other dates. 

In that spirit, how are you bringing the world into your Valentine's Day celebration? Two thoughts. If you are going to give your special person a traditional gift, think about fair trade flowers and chocolates. That way, you celebrate both love and global friendship. 

But there is also the option of rethinking the whole concept of giving flowers.

Church World Service tells us why....

Again, I don't mean to rain on anyone's Valentine's Day Parade. After all, there is a whole industry that depends on flower sales (including those who benefit from fair-trade sales in Colombia, Ecuador and Kenya). At the same time, it's important to remind ourselves that not everyone has the same access to water that we have in the Western countries (even in drought-prone New Mexico).

So, on Valentine's Day it's important to also remind ourselves of our solidarity with those who do not have access to clean water as well as our friendship with Mother Earth.

But if you must buy flowers today, please opt for the fair-trade option.

Happy Global Friendship Day!