Perfect Valentine Gift

Okay, you're strapped for cash, and today's Valentine Eve.  What do you do this late in the game without much money to work with?

• Bouquet of flowers, not gonna happen.  Here's a rule to live by:  Don't pay for things that are dying.   
• Jewelry from your neighborhood jeweler.  Only if you're the same guy who thinks you're getting a deal when you pay $15 bucks for popcorn and a coke at the movie theatre.
• Chocolates/other sweets.  Nothing says I love you like... food?  Come on, how lame is that?  That special someone deserves more than a jumbo-sized snickers bar from your local convenience store.
  

How can you express how much you love, respect, and cherish your valentine in a reasonable, affordable, and efficient way?  There's only one answer to your quest for the perfect valentine gift... music.

Write a song, no.  If you were that creative you wouldn't be reading my blog trying to figure out what to get your lover the day before Valentine's day.  Play a song yourself, no.  You're not that talented, your oboe is not cool, and you can't authentically lipsync your way through your favorite Mariah Carey song.

I've got an easier plan.  Go to itunes, pick your favorite 8 love songs, spend less than $10, and let the magic of music do its thing.

To get you started, here's my list of 8 top love songs:

1. Please Forgive Me by Bryan Adams.  There's no better way to start the night off than already asking for forgiveness.  This is also the key to a great marriage.  I'm constantly asking forgiveness for things I haven't even done and things I'm not really sorry about.
   
2. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion.  Great lyrics, epic sound, known around the world as one of the top love songs of our time.  Also a subtle reminder that most romances crash like the Titanic, but without the steamed-up car scene.
3. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton.  You have to love the honesty of this song.  His lady gets dressed, puts on makeup, brushes her hair, and then asks how she looks.  It sure beats the reality of waking up beside someone with bad breath, nappy hair, and desperately in need of an extreme makeover.
4. Always on my Mind by Willie Nelson.  Here's a trivia question, Who wrote this song?  Nelson, nope.  Elvis, nope.  It was Brenda Lee.  Here's a list of people who have recorded this song, proving it belongs on your list:  Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Alvin and the Chipmunks, B.B. King, Michael Buble, Shakira, and most impressively... David Hasselhoff.
5. At Last by Etta James.  She rocks this song making Beyonce and Celine sound like American Idol castoffs.  It's such a pure innocent song about how love makes the sky blue, lonely days a distant memory, and life a beautiful song.  You know, all the things we thought love was before we fell for it's lies.  Just kidding, kind of.  And you'll earn style points after our new Prez and his lady danced to this song at the inauguration.
6. Breathe by Faith Hill.  One and only country artist should be on your list.  Oops, I forget about Willie.  Okay two and only two country artists should be on your list.  This is a great song that does two important things at the same time.  It reminds your lover how much they mean to you and make the whole world fade away while at the same time reminding your lover that they may be suffocating you.  What a great valentine message:  I love you but give me my space!
7. Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers.  When you hear this song what's the first image that comes to mind?  The romantic scene from the movie Ghost, Elvis' last public performance, obscure prison movie called Unchained?  That's right, way before Whoopi took on the big screen, the song was written for a horrible prison movie in the 50's.  Today, even Simon Cowell says this is his favorite song.  So if that loved one is serving 10-15, give them the message that they so desperately need to hear.
8. Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion.  That's right, two songs from the John Kerry look-alike.  My wife loves her songs, and this is her favorite.  It came out when Ronnin was in high school.  Unfortunately, I hadn't met my wife at that time so whenever I hear her playing this song I'm sure it's reminding her of some previous boyfriend.  Oh well, I'm sure he's overweight, bald, and poor just like me so I have nothing to fear.

There's my list and you're welcome!!!

Running Out of Excuses

It cost too much.  I don't know anyone else there.  I don't know how to use the equipment.  I want to spend more time with my family.  I don't have the right shoes.  I don't want all the women to flirt with me.

These are my reasons, my excuses for not joining the new gym that is two blocks from my house. (Okay the last ones a stretch, but it 'could' happen)  This gym has multiple pools, several basketball courts, cardio areas, spa, indoor track, weight room that would rival most college football programs, and my favorite, racquetball courts.  I've bought day passes on several occasions but have not been ready to make the full commitment.  Yesterday I read a flyer from them that said they were dropping membership rates to $12.50 a month.  No strings attached, no extra fees.  So I'm running out of excuses for not joining.

So why don't I just join?  What's wrong with me?  Surely I can spare 4 Starbucks a month so that I can get healthy and regain my youthful physique.  (By the way, thanks Ronnin for reminding me that I don't have the same 'body shape' I did when we first got married.)  As I cut through the thick jungle of excuses desperately searching for the root of my procrastination, I realized I was actually just looking for new and better reasons to keep the gym membership goal just outside my grasp.

You see, I really don't want to change my schedule.  I like to sleep until my boys wake me up in the morning.  I like to come home from work, and be done working.  I like to go to bed at night, and not feel totally exhausted from moving pieces of metal a few inches at a time.  I'm OK with who I am, and I really cherish my time.  So no, the gym membership is not going to happen.

I'm scratching this one off of my New Year's list.   Not as a completed goal but more importantly as a goal I never wanted to achieve in the first place.  A goal that isn't mine to achieve.  I'm happy to have the extra time to sleep, spend time with the family, and read an extra book or two.  Hey, I can still make those trips to Starbucks as well.  I'm starting to feel like I did just reach a goal!!!

So I bless you to let yourself off the hook.  Fail on purpose at the ridiculous and focus on the things that resonate with you and impact those closest to you.