AUTHOR'S CORNER;

SHAKESPEARE'S VALENTINE

So the romantic time of year has rolled up again and you just don't feel....romantic!   Posies, hearts and chocolate don't quite seem to cut it with your 'love' mood and neither does an episode of Two And A Half Men with a cup of tea and a cuddle with your partner seem to do it!  Bring back Charlie Sheen!  

You would think, that as an author and a composer of words and scenarios, you'd be able to conjure some sort of romantic ambience between you and your partner, to at least give St Valentine the recognition he deserves.  And certainly on television, our well accomplished actors are telling us this, they are showing us this, with an array of romantic movies and happy-ever-after fairytale endings!  If they can do it, why can't we?  

You look at your partner (who is oblivious to your concerns) and wonder if once again, you really have to go through the  motions of flower buying and trips to the cinema followed by a curry!  Of trying very hard (after like a lifetime of marriage) to whisper sweet nothings into your partner's ear and talk the 'sexy' talk!  You've said it all before!!!  Nothing will impress!  There is nothing your partner can say that will actually send frenzies of desire up and down your spine, there are no words powerful enough that could possibly conjure up the magic of imagination and unbridled youthful 'love-juices', worse, if you think that is bad, there is nothing you can actually say or do that will remotely move your partner in anyway, shape or form!

SHALL WE DIVORCE?

NO, DON'T....LET'S SEE WHAT UNCLE SHAKESPEARE HAD TO SAY.....

Let us take a look at good old William Shakespeare and try to understand from him how love should be viewed...  

1.  I WOULD NOT WISH ANY COMPANION IN THE WORLD BUT YOU!

(The Tempest)

When you are bored with your partner, look over at him/her and think to yourself, would you really, could you really, ever, ever, wish anyone else to be sat there on the sofa beside you watching yet another re-run of Friends?  If not, then my friends, there is love there....and yes, there is hope. 

2.  MY HEART IS EVER AT YOUR SERVICE.

(Timon of Athens)

In spite of the arguments, the irritations, ask yourself how do you really feel about the person you are with, do you, in that moment of clarity and silence, give yourself completely?  Would you sacrifice the world for him/her?  Are you happy when you make your partner happy?  Yes?  Good!

3.  LOVE LOOKS NOT WITH EYES, BUT WITH THE MIND.

(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

When you look across the room over to your partner, the same partner who has been with you for the past five, ten, fifteen, twenty or thirty years, what do you see?  Do you see an ageing, balding, wrinkling overweight person who has frankly seen better days?  Or do you see that young, vibrant man/woman of the summer of 89?  That same youthful person you fell in love with all those years ago!  If when you see your loved one, the grey hairs, the fat, the not so youthful complexion pales into insignificance and all you can see is him/her, then you are still in love sweetie!

4.  ABSENCE FROM THOSE WE LOVE IS SELF FROM SELF-A DEADLY     BANISHMENT

(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

Even though mostly your partner is beginning to drive you crazy, they nag, they demand and generally they moan about every thing they can moan about!  Their habits are irritating and they always turn the channel over when your have become engrossed in the programme that they have made you watch in the first place!  But ask yourself, can you survive without them?  Would you miss them terribly and be a good for nothing blubbering heap of wreckage if they went away?  You would?  Hold on to that thought!

5.  THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER DID RUN SMOOTH

(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

Think about it, it may have not been a fairytale, Hollywood, hyped up illusion of loved up couple; but then again, if it was, it would be sooo boring....YAWN!

6.  LOVE HAS MADE THEE A TAME SNAKE.

(Othello)

Since you've been with him/her, have you mellowed over the years?  Do you find yourself more tolerant of situations?  Are you generally a happier (albeit heavier) person?  If so, then this love has been good for you!

7.  LOVE SOUGHT IS GOOD, BUT GIVEN UNSOUGHT IS BETTER.

(Twelfth Night)

Yes it would be nice if he/she showed how much they love you more often!  It would be lovely to hear it, but remember, if you give your love freely, then more than likely they will give theirs!

8.  LET'S GO HAND IN HAND, NOT ONE BEFORE ANOTHER.

(The Comedy Errors)

Remember, you are a partnership, not competitors!  If love is to last and continue, then you must become one, not two separate entities!  

9.  O, SPIRIT OF LOVE, HOW QUICK AND FRESH ART THOU.

(Twelfth Night)

Finally, do you get moments, albeit fleeting seconds, when you look at your partner and feel as young and invigorated as the day you first met?

I THINK WE CAN CONJURE UP THE LOVE MOOD AFTER ALL!  HAPPY VALENTINES!