February is known as the month of love. With Valentine’s Day looming, it is easy to get caught up in dreamy notions of overpriced chocolates, flowers, dinner reservations, and extravagant gifts. Yet, amid these romantic pursuits, it is important to pause and reflect on another dimension of love, one that is different from the traditional Valentine’s Day expressions and, instead, takes on the form of meaningful actions.
This season, I've been contemplating the idea that love is not just a noun; it is a verb. Stephen Covey writes, “Love is a verb. Love is something you do: the sacrifices you make, the giving of self. If you want to study love, study those who sacrifice for others. Love -- the feeling -- is a fruit of love the verb.”
During this month of love, I feel called to redirect my focus toward expressing love through tangible deeds, especially toward the places I call “home.” Beyond the glitter and glamor of romantic gestures, there is an abundance of opportunity to love our community through service. There are a number of organizations here in Knoxville that facilitate serving the needs of others. These organizations cover a broad spectrum of needs from Emerald Youth and Amachi Mentorship, which support at-risk youth in our community, to Men of Valor, which assists men who have been previously incarcerated, to The Restoration House, which gives aid to struggling single-parent families.
In 2022, Americans spent an astounding $23.9 billion on Valentine’s Day. We all love romance and thoughtful gestures of love; however, I can’t help but imagine the transformative potential of redirecting some of that towards actions that tangibly benefit our community. Whether it is $20 donated or one hour served, each act of service has a deep impact on our community.
Here at PYA Waltman, one of our core values is gratitude. It is out of gratitude for the community around us that we are inspired to redefine the way we express love, not just during the month of February but throughout the entire year. Each one of us can redirect our collective love towards actions that can be transformative to our community. This month is a wonderful time to recognize our potential to steward some of what has been entrusted to us in a way that gives others the opportunity to improve their situation. Let's not only embody love as a verb in our personal lives but also in the collective impact we can make by serving and uplifting the community that surrounds us. This mindset epitomizes PYA Waltman’s commitment to fostering a culture of gratitude and giving back.
As February beckons with the promise of love, we want our actions to echo this sentiment: Love as a verb, an active force shaping our community. By engaging in the well-being of the community we hold dear, we contribute to the creation of nurturing environments where personal connections flourish. This February let's choose to allow love to be the verb that propels our actions, in doing so we will leave an indelible mark on the places we call home.
PYA Waltman Capital, LLC is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about PYAW’s investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request. PYA-23-49.