I go back and read this every year. I loved the idea then and I still love it now. In fact, I would say that now more than ever we need to take the time to stop, reach out and get to know others around us. It doesn’t matter if they are next door or a thousand miles away.
I still give the same advice I did a few years ago. Get out and meet new people, experience new cultures, learn about your differences, and hear their stories. Engage, read, fact-check, and learn about everything you care about. Make phone calls, go to meetings, run for office! Offer your own opinion based on facts you know, research, or experience. It may be scary, but I promise you, you will grow and make a new friend or two along the way.
Even though we are in Portugal now, we are making an extra effort to stay in touch with friends and family. Plan a video call to check in and make sure they know how important they are to us. Life goes by quickly if we don’t take the time to connect. There will come a time when we can’t do it. I encourage everyone to plan at least one tutoring call this week. You won’t regret it.
Happy Valentine’s Day to the whole world! People often take the time to wish their loved ones happiness on Valentine’s Day and celebrate the love they share with each other. This often takes many forms, including purchasing gifts such as candy, jewelry, lingerie, and many other romantic gifts. But I want to use this time on Valentine’s Day to say “I love you” to the world.
If I didn’t have the opportunity to travel to so many countries, I wouldn’t be as grateful for my friends and family around the world.
Travel is a luxury
Nor would I appreciate the different cultures and people from around the world. I grew up in the United States, which is a melting pot of so many wonderful, different people and cultures, but we rarely take the time to get to know them. Often times, we tend to be attracted to people who are like us. Let’s face it, it’s easy, very easy. Taking the time to meet new people, especially those who live nearby or who seem different, can be challenging for some people. For most people.
The most important thing I’ve learned from all my travels is that every time I take the time to open up to someone else, there’s always a wonderful surprise. Even a grumpy person might just need a “good morning” or “how are you today?” to make them look at you a little differently and turn a frown into a smile.
I’ve been blessed to have had the opportunity to meet a lot of amazing people. People in Johannesburg, Dubai, Vienna, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Munich, São Paulo, Brussels, Istanbul, Jordan, Beijing, London, Taipei, Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Madrid, Delhi and more changed my world forever. There are some people I still talk to and see on social media regularly. Some I may never see again. Either way, they helped open my mind to see not only our differences but also our commonalities.
Without these experiences, I wouldn’t know how lucky I am to be a woman who can start her own business, love the people she chooses, have a safe home, eat when she’s hungry, and drink fresh, clean water when she’s thirsty. I am grateful every day for these luxuries that we sometimes take for granted.
I had the opportunity to meet many fellow travelers along the way, many of whom I now call friends. I hope we can all continue to share our passion for travel and the joy of getting to know others.
one more thing
My suggestion is, in Valentine’s Daywhy not meet a new friend? Maybe it’s a coworker, a classmate, a store owner or anyone who is different from you in any way to share a meal, a cup of coffee or tea, whether in person or virtually. I love having virtual tea parties with friends. We had the opportunity to chat, relax and spend time together.
Many of us are tired of the division and anger on social media pages. Why not share something with love or gratitude? Why not brighten someone else’s day?
We don’t know what’s going on in someone’s life. Just the act of someone smiling or saying hello can completely change someone’s day, week, and possibly even their life. Isn’t it worth the risk?
Have real conversations and listen. Listen to their joys and concerns. Listen to how many of them are the same as yours. Then share this story with family or friends, or on social media so you can brighten the lives of more people.
Happy Valentine’s Day to the world
I believe this type of positive micro-interaction is exactly what makes the world smaller and brings it closer together. The world seems to need more love and more positivity than ever.
Happy Valentine’s Day to the world, you and yours. I hope you make the most of it. Share at least some of these ideas with one or more new friends.
Updated February 2026
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