February is often the coldest if not the snowiest month of the year. So Valentine’s Day comes at a good time. It’s a day that gives us an opportunity to share the warmth of our heart more generously and extensively. It can even be a day to thaw a cold heart — our own or that of others, or all of the above! We feel better when our heart is open and warm, no matter what the temperature is outside. And today the world needs that warmth more than ever. So spread it around!

Swami Nirmalananda often reminds us of this. She says, “Yoga makes you become more alive and joyous. And you bring that into the world with you. The world needs more yogis. [Yogis] shine with the light of Consciousness.”

The nights are still long, and winter is far from over. I am reminded of a quote from Albert Camus:

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.”

That’s only a small part of what he wrote. The full quote includes these words:

“In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.”

We hope that February and Valentine’s Day remind you of all that there is to be found within you. But when the world is pushing against you, you do not have to push back. You have better options. Swami Nirmalananda writes in this month’s teaching article, Choosing Your State: “Whatever happens, you get to choose.” Through yoga, the power of knowing your inner depth (your Self) is transformative. “[This] makes your outer response easy. Clarity and compassion support you…”