Today I went into a card shop to find an I-love-you-type card for Cornel. I walked up and down the isles. Nothing. I saw Birthday cards, sympathy, wedding, congratulations, baby, thank you etc. But, nothing about Love.

(Did I mention it was a CARD shop? I mean a shop that sells mainly only cards. Some party goods and little gifty key-rings and the like, but, mainly cards.)

At the back of the store I found a small area with remnants of the Valentines Day items - a couple of mugs with hearts on them, cuddly Valentines bears, hand-cuffs (I'm serious, toy ones though), but, no cards.

OK, so there were a few (very few) blank cards (and I was going to write something myself anyway and not rely on the typical shop-text), but they were not particularly attractive. Besides, I wanted something that at least held some notion of "love" in the picture - not a lonesome chair, or a squiggled sketch of a bullterrier.

Eventually, knowing that I can be as blind as a bat when searching a store, I asked the assistant. She looked at me as if she did not know the word "Love". I was wondering if I needed to go into an explanation, but somehow I didn't think that that would be efficient, or fruitful. I rather lamely asked about cards saying "I love you" and the "colour red" and I ventured into the word "hearts", but still, her face was as blank as those cards I mentioned above.

So, the Valentines wares get shelved in the back. (When they disappear altogether, I don't know.) It seems people simply don't buy "love-cards" - well, certainly not from this shop - out of 14th February season.

Sure, a card isn't a reflection of everything, but, to what extent is love (our appreciation of it, or recognition of it and our display of it) actually shelved in our world today?

	Chris Edgar | Purpose Power Coaching 4/18/2009 1:22:33 PM
	I can get that this was a depressing experience for you that went beyond just the absence of a greeting card about love. Personally I find that if I'm loving life, whether I see love around me in the world doesn't matter as much, but when I'm not, it suddenly becomes a concern. Best, Chris
	Liara Covert 4/18/2009 2:31:15 PM
	Juliet, the subject of love never goes out of style. Your post draws attention to how human beings in the Western world commercialize aspects of their lives to such a degree that certain holidays are what now dictate to many people when and how to express their emotions. Your post is like a gentle wake-up call. Until more human beings begin to recall their insight into the reality of mental telepathy, then it is up to individual initiatives to explore creative self-expression in other ways.
	Daphne 4/19/2009 1:28:30 AM
	Hi Juliet, Your experience at the card shop is very telling of society at large isn't it? If there was a demand for love cards all year round, I'm sure the shops would stock these because they'd make good business. Maybe more of us should go around asking for love cards!
	carla 4/19/2009 11:15:23 AM
	Wow, I have never had that experience before. I think something is wrong when we're not expected to express love on days other than V Day. :(
	Hilary 4/19/2009 2:50:04 PM
	Hi Juliet - that's so sad .. because you went in there in hope .. hope for satisfaction, hope to surprise Cornel, hope for a future happiness .. just for it all to be negated .. by the card shop's lack of choice & more particularly by the sales persons complete and utter lack of respect for her customer, her job, her life, her attitude .. It's truly depressing that we live in this couldn't care less age .. I sincerely hope you found something wonderful somewhere and have had a lovely time together .. Look after yourself - Hilary Melton-Butcher Positive Letters
	Bruno LoGreco 4/20/2009 4:19:30 AM
	I love everyday. When there is no special time in the year to celebrate love I create my own card to give to that special someone. It means that much more when its not bought but rather created. Happy Love Day!!
	Davina 4/20/2009 10:52:00 AM
	Hi Juliet. It can be frustrating looking for the "right" card. The salesperson was probably trying to think of where you might find a card. I know when I'm deep in thought it appears I'm confused. I don't spend more than 5 minutes looking for a card. If I don't find one I like, I buy a blank card and write my own verse.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 4/20/2009 11:39:44 AM
	Hi Chris Interesting how your experience of the world seems to affect your needs. Hi Liara I'm not at all fond of the commercial celebratory days. Cornel and I celebrate everyday and give gifts etc. whenever we feel like it. Hi Daphne That's what I thought. Cute idea ;) Hi Carla I was quite taken aback by the experience. I Hilary You have so hit the nail on the head with the sales person's approach and attitude. It never ceases to amaze me how things seem to have "gone this way". Yes, found something and we are having a great time ;) Hi Bruno That's a good idea - next time. Happy Love Day to you too! Hi Davina I can also have my confused-looking and acting moments. I agree with the quick look for a card. Otherwise it can be way too frustrating.
	J.D. Meier 4/20/2009 12:14:44 PM
	I hadn't realized love was so seasonal. I'm a fan of Christmas in July, so maybe love year-round can work, too?
	Julie 4/20/2009 2:57:21 PM
	Hi, Juliet. I'm hoping your experience invited the shop clerk to rethink their practices. :)
	suzen 4/20/2009 7:24:35 PM
	Wow, talk to the manager of THAT store! I've never heard of such a thing - and that clerk, are you sure she wasn't a robot? Hopefully you have other stores that do sell love cards in your area. If not, you may have a found a niche to make your own and sell them - get out your scissors and paste and ......................
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 4/20/2009 11:46:54 PM
	Hi JD Mm, Christmas in July...I wonder why? Hi Julie I'm afraid I don't think so - don't mean to be negative, but realistic. The problem I guess is how I deal with it - which is not very well ;) Hi suzen If she was a robot, I think the battery was low ;) Juliet
	Karl Staib - Work Happy Now 4/21/2009 9:21:41 PM
	That's a good point. We should celebrate love all year round. My father still has trouble saying I love you. it's kind of funny. He just says, "Me too." :) I keep saying it to him, eventually he'll break down.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 4/22/2009 1:53:01 AM
	Hi Karl Thank you so much for sharing that. I suppose some people find it easier to demonstrate it with their actions rather than their words. Juliet
	Lance 4/24/2009 3:51:12 AM
	Hi Juliet, It's great to be back here! Our love getting shelved? Hmm....That's an interesting thought, and I'm wondering - certain days it's easier to express love - because we're so reminded of it (V Day, Mother's day, birthdays, Christmas, etc). How about on all the "normal" days in our life? That's a great thought. Do I shelve love? In a way - to be honest - I probably do. I know I can do a much better job of expressing my love - and you're reminding me of that today - that this shouldn't be something that only comes out on certain days - love rules!
	Mark 4/24/2009 12:54:18 PM
	Time to find a new store! Crazy!
	Tess The Bold Life 4/26/2009 10:12:53 PM
	Juliet, That's crazy. I like to make most of my cards. Then I can say what I need to say to everyone.
	I TAKE OFF THE MASK 4/28/2009 7:46:05 AM
	Really? No LOVE card? Wow, I couldn't believe a card shop wouldn't have some of those. Maybe people only remember to celebrate love on occasions such as Valentines. Maybe we really forget that word in our day to day lives. Someone like Juliet remembers, though. Cheers to a soul like her! :-)
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 4/28/2009 9:31:01 AM
	Hi Lance Yes, love rocks ;) Hi Mark I agree! Hi Tess Good move. I'm considering it now. Hi Jocelyn ;) Cheers everyone, Juliet
	Stacey Shipman 5/3/2009 6:38:53 AM
	Wow. I have bought love cards year round. And I tend to rebel against Valentine's Day for that reason - love isn't contained to one day per year! Love and connections to people I feel are lost. The other night I attended a workshop on resilience and when asked "how do you cope" of those that offered a verbal response, not one mentioned connecting with other people.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 5/3/2009 4:29:14 PM
	Hi Stacey My turn to say "wow" about your experience. It's sad too that people either forget or don't feel that they can or are allowed to connect. Juleit
	Arswino 5/6/2009 7:58:26 AM
	Hi Juliet, good contemplation about love. Love has become a commodity for business. Love exists only at valentine day. It is concerning.
	Carol King 5/6/2009 12:48:04 PM
	Wow I did not know it was difficult for folks to understand the word Love, perhaps the lady in the store did not speak your language. LoL. I love to send cards for what ever reason and sending a love card to someone because you love them is a wonderful gesture. I think each person has to decide what love is to them and if we want it to remain pure instead of tainted by commercialism, then we must simply pay no attention.
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 5/12/2009 5:18:30 AM
	Hi Arswino mmm, so you see it on your side of the world too. Hi Carol Yes, and love is supposed to be a universal language! Cheers Juliet
	Liara Covert 5/12/2009 8:26:26 AM
	Juliet, to be unpredictable, you can choose to define the dates of particular card-giving occasions. Why not wish someone happy Xmas in July? (hey do in Australia where that is there winter) Why not Happy Halloween in May? Happy grandparents' day even to someone who is not a grandparent? Make up yoru own card "holiday." There are no limits excpet those defined by your imagination. Cheers!
	LifeMadeGreat | Juliet 5/13/2009 12:11:23 AM
	Hi Liara That is a wonderful idea! I'm going to put that into practice. Juliet