I absolutely love the idea of a holiday during which we celebrate LOVE with paper hearts, cards, flowers, chocolates and, of course, hugs and kisses. Love is an essential component of our human existence.
If I asked you to make a list of all the people you love, it would probably be quite a long list of family and friends (and perhaps a celebrity or two). But who would be at the very top of your list? Would it be YOU?
As you pour out your love, affection, compassion, and kindness to others on Valentine’s Day or any day, I urge you to remember to do these things for yourself, too. And as a committed list maker, I suggest that you make a list of all the things about you that make you wonderfully and amazingly you. Begin each item with the words “I absolutely love…” Make it a long, long list that covers personality traits, physical characteristics, and the way you live your life each day. Be extremely generous in your praise for yourself because you deserve it.
Here are a few examples that might be on the lists of several women I know and love…
… I absolutely love my sense of humor.
… I absolutely love that I am bright and independent.
… I absolutely love my nurturing spirit.
… I absolutely love that I am a creative problem-solver.
… I absolutely love my sense of style.
… I absolutely love the way I dance.
Making your list will only take a few minutes, but every moment will be time well-spent. My hope for you this Valentine’s Day (and every day) is that when you hear the question “Whom do you love?”… your first response will be “I love me!”
Celebrate YOU this Valentine’s Day! You deserve it.
Happy Valentines Day to you as well – and love to Dave and the rest of the family. We miss you!
Thanks very much, Kim. Miss you, too, and hope that all is well.
Sending love and a very big hug,
Sharon
Dear Sharon, thank you for sharing such a lovely article. What a powerful exercise to do the list, I would probably pull in some things about myself that I wasn’t even aware of. It is a nice reminder and a great boost for self-esteem.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Hilda. It is wonderful to hear from you and, yes, the suggested exercise will probably bring to minds some of the qualities about which you do not think but that make you the amazing woman you are! I hope you have fun with it.
Sending love and a very big hug,
Sharon
Thanks for reminding us to take care of ourselves so that we in turn can care for others. In today’s rushed, time starved, competitive world, it’s really easy to lose your sense of self and self-worth and your blog post reminded me to revist what I absolutely love about me 🙂 (I absolutely love that I can put people at ease quickly with a friendly and warm approach) 🙂
thank you ..xx
Laura, thanks very much for taking the time to comment and for sharing one of the things you love about yourself — everyone loves that about you!!! I hope all is well with you and your family.
Sending love and a very big hug,
Sharon
Thanks Sharon for adding me back to the list! This message is right on time.
…I absolutely Love me just the way I am, as well as my desire to be better than I was yesterday.
So great to hear from you, Stacey. Love your declaration “I absolutely Love me just the way I am…” We can all learn from you!
Sending love and a very big hug,
Sharon
Hi Sharon;
Thanks so much for this posting this. All too often, we forget about US. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to take an inventory of what we have to offer the world and celebrate it.
Thanks so much
Gina
Thanks very much for taking the time to comment, Gina. I hope you are celebrating all that you offer the world!
Sending love and a very big hug,
Sharon
Sharon, I haven’t looked at this space in a long time and just saw your email. It can’t have come at a better time as I am going thru a lot lately and need whatever I can find to stay strong for me so I can in turn be strong for maia. Thank you for this.
You are strong and wise, Katie, and at times even the strongest and wisest of us need support from others. Let those who love you know what they can do to help you. I’ll reach out in the morning.
Until then, sending love and a very big hug,
Sharon
Sharon
Thx for the very nice reminder. I do love who I am and all of the love I have in my life because of that. I absolutely love my ability to find and connect with amazing people to enhance my wellbeing! And thank you for being one of those. Hope you are enjoying life more every day.
xo
Colleen
So wonderful to hear from you, Colleen. Thanks very much for being an amazing person in my life as well. Yes, I am enjoying life and hope you are, too.
Sending love and a very big hug,
Sharon
Thank you Sharon for writing this post. Interesting as this week I retrieve a piece of paper that I unfolded and I read the following thing: a love letter to me….:-) what you say is so true… we rarely recognized what we love in ourselves. But we are amazing people!!!
Many thanks, Virginie, for your comment. How wonderful that you wrote a love letter to yourself – such a great idea! Yes, we are all amazing people and taking a few moments (or more) to acknowledge this is so wise.
Sending love and a very big hug,
Sharon