Here it is, Valentine’s Day again. Every retailer’s dream and every single person’s “whatever.”

It’s all in the way you look at it!

(There’s that pesky perception thing again I’m always talking about…)

Last year, I wrote on Being Your Own Valentine and how I changed my mindset to stop dwelling on being alone on Valentine’s Day and instead, learn to embrace and actually enjoy it.

It turned what could have been a sucky situation into a truly blissful one.

“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.”
- Oscar Wilde

Valentine’s Day has always been a sweetheart’s paradise…and possibly a time of dread for someone who either wants a relationship or has recently lost one.

Once again, it’s all about perception.

The most important person in your life is YOU.

That’s who you should be focusing on romancing. Love yourself first, and the rest seems to follow suit.

The more you chase after love from another, the further it’s going to be.

So, get to know yourself for the truly wonderful person you are.

Give love to yourself.

Seem like a foreign concept?

“You can explore the universe looking for somebody who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and you will not find that person anywhere.”
- Buddhist saying

Over the years, I’ve learned to give, give and give some more and learned it’s somehow okay to put myself last.

Well, it’s NOT okay.

And that thinking is in the past. It’s time we all wake up and realize that to truly be happy in this life, we must truly fall in love with who we are.

And that begins with acceptance…

You just sometimes forget to realize it…

“A positive sense of self can bring heaven to earth. If one manifests their divine nature they can transform their inner world and cultivate a life of love and compassion. Love and wholeness will bring us rewarding new life experiences and fulfill our souls potential. Let us all nurture awareness and nourish the spirit, for by doing so we will walk the earth in friendship as we reconnect with joy.”

- Micheal Teal – Love this guy’s quotes! (and want to give credit to where I found them)

And so, I bring you a challenge (you just love it when I do that, don’t you???)

I present the How Do I Love ME Quest…

This will cause you to step WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY out of your comfort zone. As in quantum leaps out.

But bear with me… You WILL understand the meaning behind it, young Grasshopper.

(ok, so I’m showing my age with the Kung Fu reference… Am I REALLY that old???)

Think back when you were young.

Then you too may have a difficult time with self love.

Step out in faith and try this exercise… I did and even though it seems foreign, it felt good once I actually completed it.

Here’s mine:

How Do I Love ME…Let Me Count the Ways

I love myself because I’m unique.
I love myself for the quirkiness I’ve learned to embrace.
I love myself for the inspiration I bring to others.
I love myself for the beautiful person I am inside.
I love myself for my sense of humor.
I love myself for my writing ability.
I love myself because I’m a good mom.
I love myself because I’m a good friend.

(And NO, that wasn’t easy for me to do.)

Now it’s YOUR turn.

How do YOU love YOU?

Now start counting the ways….

No cheating.

(Hey, if I can publicly do it, then you can at least privately do it!)

Do it for YOU.

You’ll be amazed at the new love affair that shows up.

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