While February is the month we associate with Valentine's Day, love and romance, it is curious that it happens when the Sun is in Aquarius. Aquarius is the sign of the individual as the cooperative unit of a group, where the individual ego is subordinated for the good of the whole - at least in theory.

What happens is quite different. It is true that Aquarians value friendships and respect the group effort, but since they also resonate with the Leo (opposite) need to define themselves, not seeking validation from others, they are just as likely to stand out from the crowd or resist the "herd" mentality.

I see this as an advantage to both close interpersonal relationships as well as in any social situation. Not only the willingness to disagree but the importance of disagreement, in my view, is in need of reframing as beneficial for human relations. Let me explain.

Have you ever found yourself agreeing with a group decision when inside you were not entirely convinced? It can appear so much easier to go along with the majority, rather than voice what you are feeling. However, how did you feel afterward?

By not sharing your perspective, several things may have happened. You probably felt uncommitted to the decision and/or less interested in the group itself. What you may not have realized is that your failure to offer the group another point-of-view was disrespectful of the group purpose. Your perspective might actually have made a difference in the decision.

When we hold back from expressing our viewpoint, we have dismissed ourselves AND we have withheld something important from others. What do I mean? In a sense, you have failed to provide others with a holistic view of the situation.

I say this because I believe that each of us holds a unique perspective - a unique piece - of the holographic world. Without every one of us contributing our piece to the world puzzle, the world remains incomplete.

Therefore, when you find yourself in a group trying to reach a decision, the most holistic thing to do is to share your view, even if it seems in opposition to someone else's ideas. Getting all points of view on the table offers more complete information. Reaching a group decision may then be easier, but even if it isn't, when a course of action is finally agreed to, everyone will be invested in the outcome and all will feel heard.

Don't discount your opinion for the sake of harmony, because there is definitely an advantage to disagreement. New information has often changed my vote, even when I thought I already knew the right answer.

To this point, I have been speaking about group relations, but the same can be applied to one-on-one or intimate relationships. Speak up, share your view and learn from others perspectives.

It is important, in any event, not to believe that you have the "right" answer. You have only what appears to be right for you. When both parties are willing to listen and even agree to disagree, you are both free to be who you are without criticism or crisis. Now that's true romance to me!