This Month We Celebrate LOVE – Anderson Connect

Although we cherish our relationships all year through, February, host to Valentine’s Day, invites us to pause, take stock of the treasured relationships in our lives and spread a little extra kindness. To help, we’ve compiled fun facts, stories and videos to make you feel loved up, and spread it to others. We hope you enjoy!

• A Fun Fact
• A Short Story
• A Short Video
• New Initiative from our Mental Health Support (keep.meSAFE)
• Valentine’s Day Celebration Ideas
• Friendly Reminder of Anderson Resources Available to You

A Fun Fact

February 2, 2022 (2-2-22) is a palindrome date. Palindrome Days occur when the day’s date can be read the same way backward and forward. The dates are similar to word palindromes, in which they are symmetrical. Because all the digits in the date are twos, the date is being called Two’s Day.

A Short Story

The Man Who Moved a Mountain

There are people who say love can move mountains. This might not be physically possible, but Dashrath Manjhi, also known as the ‘Mountain Man’, came quite close. One day, his wife fell while crossing a nearby hill and hurt herself seriously. She needed quick medical assistance, but that wasn’t possible due to the vast hill that isolated their small village from the next town. Tragically, Manjhi’s wife died from her injuries before he could get her the help she needed. That was the night he decided to carve a small path through the mountain in order to give his village easier access to medical assistance.

It was an ambitious plan, and he was heavily ridiculed for it. But after working for 22 years, with determination and willpower, he indeed carved a path into the hill. Even though he was initially mocked and ridiculed for his mission to give his hometown easier access to the nearby town, he finally succeeded. His life’s work helped to reduce the distance between the two towns from 55 km to only 15 km, so that never again such a thing would happen.

This is the true story of Dashrath Manjhi from India who spent 22 years carving a lifesaving road through a treacherous mountain. This feat was in response to him losing his wife while traversing the mountain path in 1959. He decided he would make a safer one — by hand.

Moral: Manjhi’s life offers us a lesson – a small man, with no money and no power can challenge even a mighty mountain. His love for his wife and determination to turn his sorrow into hope for others, gave him the vision and strength to carve a way through that obstacle. He demonstrates to us that every hurdle can be crossed, those physical and those of judgement, if one keeps their eyes set on their goal.

A Short Video

A video about extraordinary, sweet love, to inspire a giggle in your day.

Baby Bids Goodbye to Brother

Valentine’s Day Celebration Ideas

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be just for star-crossed soulmates. It is an occasion for each one of us to cherish and celebrate our myriad loved ones. Go on, vow to spend February 14th showing kindness and love to family, friends, even strangers. Because, really, couldn’t we all use a little more love in our lives?

Here are some ideas to spark your imagination:

• Get out your aprons and whip up a special Valentine’s treat for the family to enjoy. Make a memorable meal to create family traditions that your children will remember and carry forward.
• Make some Valentine’s greeting cards and spread the love with some handwritten notes for friends, family, neighbours and perhaps even post them on community boards for strangers.
• Grab some blankets and pillows and cozy up on the couch for a family movie night.
• Dress up, use props and decorations to have an impromptu group Valentine’s Day photoshoot.
• Express “I Love You” by going around the dinner table and having everyone share at least one reason why they love each person.

For more fun ideas click here. Let this Valentine’s Day remind you that celebrating love is a year-long affair.

Mental Health Support (keep.meSAFE Announcement)

Your health and wellbeing are vital to us. Our partner platform, keep.meSAFE is pleased to share a new free resource available to our students (and staff) called the Community Connection. This new initiative focuses on peer-to-peer support for those who seek to get to know one another. You’ll also hear from professionals and learn how to navigate everyday challenges as well as connect with long-term resources to support your journey in wellness.

To register click here and to find out more information click here.

We’re wishing you a happy Valentine’s Day and a February filled with love and memories!

The Anderson College Team