I’m not one for reality TV and talent shows and if I’m honest I can’t abide the programmes that seem to make fun out of people for viewers entertainment, but I suppose as long as there is a demand and viewers are watching the producers will keep on making the said programmes.

However, there is one programme that I must confess to watching and rather enjoying. It doesn’t make fun of the contestants and the judges are called coaches. They are encouraging and kind. I find this format so much more refreshing than judges of other programmes that are rude and make fun of contestants. So if I could sing or even hold any form of note and was brave enough I would choose to showcase my talent on the Voice.

For my many of my overseas readers, who may not be familiar with this show, the contestants enter into blind auditions to participate in a contest to be held over the coming weeks. They sing to the coaches who are facing in the opposite direction, if the coaches like what they hear they press their buzzer and their chair turns around to face the contestant. If a contestant is lucky enough to be picked by more than one coach they have to make the difficult decision of which coach to pick.

So why do I enjoy this programme? The most important thing for me is it isn’t based on appearances and it is solely the contestant’s voice.  However, the main reason I choose to watch this programme is even if a contestant isn’t chosen the coaches are never unkind and always offer kind words of encouragement and wisdom. If they do give criticism it is constructive so the singer has some good advice to take away, not to mention they have had the opportunity to perform on national TV. All the coaches are very different but one thing is clear and that is they really want to help the singers that they select for their team.

Whilst watching the show this week I realised how it compared to other reality programmes where the format is to belittle performers and to be unkind.   It doesn’t cost anyone to be kind to someone and can make a huge difference to people’s confidence when they are offered kind constructive words.

It made me reflect on how our words can affect us and our moods and those around us  and we should be careful when speaking words to others, whether they are strangers, friends or family. The way we say something can make a big difference to how we can make someone feel.

I believe wherever we can, we should be kind and offer words of encouragement, offer compliments whenever possible. It might even make a big difference to someone’s day helping turn a bad day into an okay day. I know from experience if someone gives me a compliment or if someone is kind to me it lifts my spirits no end.

We should also think about how our words will be received by others, for example if we are always complaining or in a bad mood that will no doubt reflect on the other person, especially if they are sensitive. We should also always think before we speak because once our words are spoken they cannot be retracted.  Remember the words we speak are a reflection of who we are.

I love the quote by Audrey Hepburn who said “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

I think if we all adopted this attitude to life the world would be a much happier place. Love and our emotions are contagious so I hope we can all collectively spread some love and happiness in the world this week.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.”  – Mother Teresa

*photo courtesy of Kind Campaign. 

This week as Valentine’s Day approaches I want to write about being single on Valentines Day because for some I know some this can be a big thing and a few of my single friends have been known to become very depressed just before and during Valentine’s Day.

Over the years, Valentine’s Day has become so commercialised and people, whether they are in a relationship or not feel pressure to do something and one of my friends pointed out that if you aren’t with someone you feel that it is being rammed down your face and you don’t fit in.

I wholeheartedly disagree with this line of thought. Valentine’s Day is just for one day. Admittedly, the shops start displaying red love hearts almost as soon as the New Year is upon us and cards are strategically placed on the most prominent shelves so they are the first thing you see, it’s like they are almost jumping out in front of you, but I ask myself is it really all that bad?

I am also currently happily single but I can honestly say that Valentine’s Day does not cause me any concern or discomfort. Equally, I don’t feel that I have to hide away or feel sorry for myself and here’s the reason why.

I love romance and the whole idea of falling in love and my regular readers will know that I am a half glass full type of person and I know that anything is possible at any moment in time. I keep an open mind in everything that I do and am excited by the prospect that I could meet someone and fall in love.   This could happen on a train, or a random meeting it doesn’t have to be in a conventional way. I also believe in love at first sight and I have in fact fallen in love twice in this way.

I also believe there is more chance of meeting someone and falling in love with them when we are not looking for love and are just happy doing the things that we enjoy doing. When we are happy with ourselves we will attract other like-minded people.   Like attracts like.

The beauty of being single is there is always the possibility that this can happen at any time, so long as we remain open, happy and positive. The world is full of so many opportunities, that is of course if we don’t sit at home embroidering, like the Bennett sisters, waiting for Mr Bingley or Mr Darcy to call. We do of course have to make more of an effort in today’s society especially as we are all so busy.

So whilst I might be single this Valentine’s Day there’s hope and there’s always tomorrow, next week or even next year. My point is cupid can aim his arrow at any time and when he does I will be ready and open minded.   It’s quite exciting really and in my view no reason to be depressed at all.   The key is to be open and to be happy and who knows what might happen.

Also on the occasions when I have been in a relationship during Valentine’s Day I would avoid restaurants because they were always so busy and the service was not entirely up to scratch. So I would choose to stay in and have a romantic meal or watch a romantic film but quite frankly I believe every day should be special when you are with the one you love, so why just make an extra special effort on Valentine’s Day? Why not make every day special and show your loved one how much they mean to you.

Most importantly, I look on Valentines Day as a reminder of all the love in the world, it is a chance to spread some love and happiness whether we are in a relationship or not.

So whether you are single or in the most wonderful relationship in the world, I would love to hear how you plan to spend Valentine’s Day and what it means to you but whatever your status is, remember to spread a little love and happiness.

Wishing my lovely readers, whether single, married or in a couple a very Happy Valentine’s Day.