Sharing your Heart with YOU!

I love celebrating the people I love and care for. I will admit however that I cannot tell you exactly when National Grandparents Day is much less other designated celebratory days until I see posts and pictures on social media. There are so many – it is hard to keep up and even know which ones are legit.

There are a few holidays that has been ingrained into all of us since we were kids – Valentine’s Day being one of them. Some love the day – some avoid it. It can have a lot of mixed emotions. Interestingly enough, the tradition is not rooted in the expression of love for a significant other.

This does not mean that you should stop exchanging cards or making the day extra special for the people you care about. The practice of giving and recognizing people is fulfilling at a relationship and individual level. With the origin of the Valentine’s Day not necessarily being about relationships, perhaps this is a good time to pause and say, what can I make this day all about? Whether you are in a relationship or not, if you would like to participate in the celebration of Valentine’s Day, consider whom and how you want to recognize people. Also consider adding yourself to the top of the list by making your first Valentine note addressed to your celebrating YOU. Be kind to yourself. Write the note with the intention to make your own heart be touched.

Soon after Valentine’s Day and likely on Valentine’s Day you will be pulled to give to others – which is such a wonderful gift in many respects but it can also be draining, especially when life is hectic and with the presence of outside pressures of how to celebrate. In order to give your best to others, you need to be full.

The instruction we receive as part of every pre-flight safety demonstration – “Put your oxygen mask on first” is key life advice especially during emotionally charged holidays. Before I had kids, I use to think this instruction was not smart advice. I would tell myself, of course I would put the oxygen masks on my kids first – I would just do it quickly so I could get my own mask on next. I did not grasp this was because it was common for me to put the oxygen mask on for others first in my day to day life, only to find myself at times run down and depleted – not able to give, not able to be my best and sometimes really grasping for some “oxygen”. Life experiences over time with the people I care about have taught me that as much as I love them, I must give myself some oxygen, some love first.

As you share your heart this Valentine’s Day with the special people in your life, consider giving yourself a little extra love as well. It is free and it will center you to be your best and give your best to others.

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