My friend Ruby had some coping techniques for those without a significant other this Valentine’s Day. Here’s what she has to say:

First of all, Valentine’s Day is tough even if you do have a significant other. It can cause a lot of needless pressure. People feel the need to get it right.

Now, if you don’t have that special someone, there are ways to celebrate anyway - after all, it’s about love and love doesn’t just mean the romantic kind.

I like to celebrate the areas in which I do have love, whether it’s a friend or a family member, a pet…or even ways I’ve learned to love myself more over the years. Love is a blessing in its many forms and it deserves attention and celebration, too.

In the past, I’ve also used Valentine’s Day as a time to reflect on what I really want romantically, down to the smallest detail. I let my imagination run wild. Simply by dedicating some energy to what I’m looking for in a partner, I feel like I’m a step closer to that person already.

Listen - it’s easy to feel that Valentine’s Day is a drag when you don’t have that certain someone. It takes a little more effort to use it in a way that’s positive and productive.

Even if you’re not a football fan, it was glorious to watch a city in serious need of a celebration revel in a world-class victory.

The Saints, indeed, came marching in!

Perspective is everything. It’s so easy to get spun out on our own endless, constant thoughts. Today, come up with some creative ways to be present, quickly and simply.

A friend of mine swears by this:

“When I feel like I’m stuck in my own head, I just look up at the sky for a minute. Well, more than look at it - I take it in. I realize the space, the openness. Sometimes just a few seconds is enough to derail the buzz going on in my head.”

What way can you become more present? Maybe it’s a bath, a breath, a song, a laugh, a stretch, a walk, a talk, a yell, a smell, a dog, a plunge into cold water…

This week’s quotes focus on the topic of relief. We all know it when we feel it. And sometimes we work too hard to get some. Or look for it in all the wrong places. Here’s some quotes intended to lift the weight off of your shoulders:

“Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” - Mark Twain

“Sorrow comes to all…Perfect relief is not possible, except with time. You cannot now realize that you will ever feel better and yet you are sure to be happy again.”- Abraham Lincoln

“Imaginary obstacles are insurmountable. Real ones aren’t. But you can’t tell the difference when you have no real information. Fear can create even more imaginary obstacles than ignorance can. That’s why the smallest step away from speculation and into reality can be an amazing relief. The Reality Solution means: Do it before you’re ready.” - Barbara Sher

For fast-acting relief try slowing down.
Lily Tomlin

It is such a relief to be told the truth.
Katherine Anne Porter

Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain.
Charlie Chaplin

There is a great relief in experiencing the worst vicariously.
Fiona Shaw

When I cleaned up some 17 odd years ago, I felt terrible for about six months. The only thing that gave me any real relief was strenuous physical activity.
James Taylor

Give up the feeling of responsibility, let go your hold, resign the care of your destiny to higher powers, be genuinely indifferent as to what becomes of it all and you will find not only that you gain a perfect inward relief, but often also, in addition, the particular goods you sincerely thought you were renouncing.” -  William James

Did you ever feel stranded, left out at sea, with little to no hope in the word? We’ve all had our moments. But sometimes, an outside force comes in and saves the day:

THE luckiest dog alive has been rescued from an iceberg floating 32km from land in the Baltic Sea.

Sailors plucked the animal to safety after it got trapped on ice on Poland’s Vistula river and drifted for more than 122km, the Daily Mail reports.

Rescuer Adam Buczynski said: “He didn’t even squeal. There was just fear in his big eyes.”

It’s thought Baltic’s problems began when he got trapped on ice on the Vistula River near Torun on Friday.

A day later he was spotted in Grudziadz, 64km upstream, where fireman tried to reach the German shepherd-type mongrel.

But thick ice made it too risky to launch a rescue craft despite Baltic floating just a few yards from the river bank.

Another bid to save the stranded mutt was made at Kwidzyn, 22 miles further on towards Poland’s coast.

After sightings dried up it was assumed the dog had perished.

But incredibly Baltic had traveled a further 35km to the river mouth before heading out to the ocean where finally his luck turned when scientists on a research boat spotted something odd moving amid the broken ice.

Natalia Drgas, of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, said: “One of the sailors thought they had seen another seal but then he noticed it had legs, ears and a tail.”

However the men onboard the Baltica soon found saving the stranded dog was by no means plain sailing.

First they tried to catch the dog in a net on a pole but when that failed they had to drop a pontoon with crewmen.

Seaman Adam Buczynski said: “We tried to sail as close as possible but as we approached the boat pushed the ice and the dog was sliding off.

“The dog didn’t even yelp but you could see the fear in his eyes.”

With darkness falling and time running out Baltic was finally hauled on board in sub zero temperatures late on Monday.

Captain Jan Jachim said if his ship had passed that way a few moments later the dog would never have been spotted amid the gloom.

He said: “We were just at the right place at the right time.”

And he added that few boats chart those waters at that time of year.

“Baltic was drifting with the current further and further out to the open sea. He would have gone further if we hadn’t seen him.”

But Captain Jachim may not have seen the last of the Baltic, the salty seadog. If no-one claims him, the lucky hound will be adopted as the ship’s mascot.

Source: Herald Sun (watch incredible video here)

This last year, we’ve talked about the power of solar cookers in numerous countries in need. And nowhere has that become more evident as of late than in Haiti.

Food is cooked with solar energy in solar cookers (or solar ovens). They are an ideal addition wherever there are predictable hours of sun many days of the year. Solar cooking and baking are easy and safe around children. Solar cookers are clean, convenient, non-polluting and easy on the environment. And, for millions of people living in arid, fuel-scarce regions of the world, solar cookers can literally save lives

Solar Cookers International is just one organization that is making sure the Haitians get some quick and immediate relief. Here’s some basic information, if you want to help or learn more:

In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Solar Cookers International (SCI) has received numerous calls from donors and friends wishing to make contributions or otherwise support relief efforts in Haiti, particularly with the hopes of sending solar cookers and water pasteurization indicators (WAPIs) to the quake’s victims. We are inspired and encouraged that so many of you have recognized the vital role solar cooking and solar water pasteurization can play in these relief efforts.

SCI is now working with Sun Ovens International, Friends of Haiti Organization, and local NGO partners to bring much-needed solar cookers and WAPIs to the people of Haiti as the country begins its long road to recovery. Please contribute to this effort and help us bring simple, life-saving skills and technologies to a country suffering not only from a massive earthquake, but from never-ending poverty and lack of cooking fuel due to extreme levels of deforestation.

A $40 gift pays for a solar cooker, cooking pot, and WAPI for a Haitian family.