Invitation to the Practice of Love: give love to others and yourself

Practicing gratitude and self love

It’s Valentine’s Day and a great reason to practice self love and gratitude. Today I’m starting it with a message to all those I love: clients, friends, colleagues and family.

I want to tell them just how much they matter in my life. They are short e-mails. Some will go today. Some go out at Christmas, Easter or their birthdays. And some will be unexpected messages of love, completely out of the blue.

After filling my heart with gratitude for the good people in my life, it’s time to practice self love. So, I’m off for a massage.

One of my dearest friends bought me a massage as a voucher over a period when I was stretched thin working. What a beautiful expression of love and care.

I feel so lucky to have a friend who is so observant. It’s as if she has that sixth sense for what I need, what will soothe and make me feel good. But the massage is a great reminder for giving myself vital care. Only I can do that.

Here’s my confession. I was so busy, I forgot the voucher. Lucky me she reminded me and the voucher had 21 days left to redeem!

Too much romance?

Many find the media and emphasis on romance through chocolate hearts and red roses makes them feel sad and alone. And yet in life we are all essentially alone partnered or not.

No one can really share our experience fully. No one will ever see through our eyes or hear through our ears. No one has our mind. Stop! Don’t let that get you down, turn it around.

We each have a unique experience. We also have a choice about what that experience is like. We choose what we think. So whether you’re partnered or not, it is your choice to see yourself as lovable, special, worthwhile and amazing. You are that!

And if you’re with someone who can’t see your brilliance, your talents, your gifts they need to make space for someone else who does.

To celebrate the day, I recorded this video for you. Please watch it. It’s only 4min and it’s an update from me and a greeting for you.

My tip to practice gratitude and spread love

Get a voucher on sites like Groupon or Wowcher and make someone’s day with a gift of dinner, flowers, massage or adventure. But you can equally make a sweet card or hand made gift.

It’s a cliché, but it really is the thought that counts more than anything else. The idea that we matter to someone and they matter to us. That we know they exist and we appreciate them.

Be generous! Dish out compliments, acknowledgements, those invaluable thank you’s and help others feel their value in this world and in your life.

And don’t forget my favorite mirror exercise from my Psychologies Magazine 30 day goal setting course.

My self care invitation to you

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Get in front of a mirror and look at yourself. What do you see looking back at you?

Admire this person. They have a rich history. They stand on the shoulders of their ancestors. All the people that came through their life and those that will still arrive, stay and go.

This person is rich in wisdom, experience and they are always changing and growing.

This is you! And you choose where you go. So make it good. Aim to do the very best you can and you will be amazing.

Enjoy and please connect with me on Facebook where you can join my Grid community, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Start with 31 days of self care

The world needs more compassion and kindness. And it starts with ourselves. Follow the link in this banner and receive a download of 31 self care prompts to build your self care muscles.