Love Starts With You

February is commonly referred to as the month of love because of Valentine's Day, but it’s not just about romance and couples—we like to think of it as a good reminder to spread some love to everyone around (including yourself!) It's a good time to focus on the importance of self-care, self-love, and fostering relationships with family and friends. Love is love and February is a time when we could all use a little extra TLC, whether it's on the 14th or any old day of the week. No matter how you choose to celebrate, the important thing is that you do something to focus on the feeling of love. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Gratitude to Expand Our Hearts

One of the best ways to focus on love is to simply fill your heart with gratitude for all the good things in your life. Think of all the things—large and small—that you are grateful for and might sometimes take for granted. These thoughts can help our hearts to expand and radiate love. Not only will it put you into a positive and relaxed state of mind, but others will be able to sense your loving energy and feel positive feelings toward you as well. Keeping a gratitude journal and getting your thoughts onto paper can be very therapeutic and when you look back on what you wrote, it will fill you with reminders for all the wonderful things in your life.

Be compassionate with yourself when things are tough. Meditation can be a great way to clear your mind and focus on your heart space and the feelings that come up. A quick way to reset your thoughts to be more heart-centered is to think of breathing in gratitude as you inhale and breathing out love as you exhale.

Focus on All Your Relationships

Whether or not you have a romantic partner, we all have loved ones in our lives. Simply focus on the feeling of love for those you care about. Think of the loved ones in your life (past and present) and what they mean to you. Think of ways you can show people that you love and care about them. For children especially, sometimes just receiving your full, undistracted attention and showing curiosity about their interests can mean so much more than receiving a physical gift. Planning a special outing or activity together can be a delightful way to show love and create special memories.

As adults, it can be easy to let some friendships slip away when life gets busy. Checking in on some of your older friendships can be a way to stay connected that will warm your heart as well as the heart of the person you reached out to. You never know when a kind gesture or check-in with someone is going to be just what they need to get through a challenging time.

And although family relationships can sometimes come with challenges, taking some time to connect with or plan an activity with a family member who you don’t see regularly can be mutually rewarding. Elderly family members especially can be prone to loneliness if they don’t have a social network. Meeting up for a cup of tea or a walk can make a world of difference for someone who has limited interactions. 

Self-Care Practices

Another great way to focus on love is to indulge in some self-care practices. Treat yourself to some at-home spa treatments, get a massage, or buy yourself a fresh bouquet of flowers. Doing something special for yourself will help you feel loved, cared for, and appreciated. It's important to remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup, so make sure to take care of yourself first and foremost.

One of the most beautiful things about love is that it connects us all. We are all connected by the universal energy of love. When you open your eyes to this fact, you start to see love everywhere around you. No matter what might be happening in the world at large, always remember that opening your heart and feeling love is the most powerful force in the universe. Remember that we are all deserving of limitless love, every day of our lives.

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” ~ Dalai Lama