Happy Valentines Day to You

Even as the economy crumbles, today’s relatively tame Valentine’s Day celebration is expected to generate some $14.7 billion in retail sales in the United States!  WOW!  Caught up in another high-consumer holiday and inundated with hype from jewelers, florists and confectioners, it’s easy to forget the real meaning of Valentine’s Day: to express our love.  Whether you’re in a romantic relationship or not, it’s a good to time to remember that we can’t express our love fully to someone else until we fall in love with ourselves, because you can’t give what you don’t have.  Coming from a place of self-love enables you to love someone else more deeply and abundantly.  So ask yourself how you can be your own valentine today—and then write your love letter or invest in some chocolate just for you. 

Can we really afford to take good care of ourselves in these challenging times of such economic uncertainty?

 

I turned 50 last week.  To many the half-century birthday is a benchmark event, but I really don’t have strong emotions about it, one way or the other.  I’m not particularly depressed that I’m not further along in my life, and I’m not necessarily thrilled to be entering my fifth decade, either.  I just read in fiftyisthenewforty.net that actresses Linda Blair and Emma Thompson, entertainer Marie Osmond, and the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, are all turning 50 this year, too, so at least I’m in good company.

 

Even if I don’t really feel any different, I’ve decided to use this birthday to mark the initiation of my exceptional self-care campaign.  No matter how old you are, in these times of high stress and fear we all need to put self-care at the top of our list.  So even as you are looking to cut back, tighten up, and do more with less, I am going to ask you to prioritize your self-care.  Keep your gym membership, your dentist appointment, and your professional organization membership.  Now more than ever, we need to do everything we can to get the support we need physically, emotionally, and spiritually to take good care in these challenging times.  

.