February is a month for love. Everything from Valentine’s Day to the stay-in-and-snuggle weather make this second month a time for adoration and endearment. Yet it is easy in this period of roaring fireplaces and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates to forget that real love starts with SELF LOVE.  It is for this reason that I remind you to take time this month to treat and value yourself.

To do this, you must first appreciate your life, health, friends, family, and even pets if you have any.  Take notice of all the kind beings that surround and support you on a daily basis. Focusing on these small blessings is what allows us to see the big picture.

The next step is to dare to be compassionate and kind to yourself.  Eliminate all your  hypercritical and negative moments of introspection. Catch yourself when you find that you are being pessimistic or unfairly comparing  yourself to others and say “PAUSE.”  Then ask “Why am I being unkind to myself?”

Remember, change is a process and acceptance is always a challenge. Start with easy steps to love being you:  take a nature walk, get a massage, meditate, or simply do something you  know makes you happy.  All in all, you want to celebrate how wonderful you are. You will find that this approach makes life more fun and fulfilling. As it is written on the key chain I carry around with me: “Love the life you live and live the life you love.”

Happy Valentine’s Day.

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I’m a list person. I can make a list for pretty much anything; chores, groceries, people to call back, you name it. So making my list of New Year’s resolutions is a natural undertaking for me.  In fact, it has become an annual tradition. I can’t remember a year when I didn’t make a list of New Year’s resolutions, or multiple lists for that matter.  Sometimes I keep them, sometimes I don’t. I guess that’s the way it goes when it comes to resolutions.

What I’ve realized in my years of lists is that resolutions are about change, but true resolutions are about persistence. Real change happens in small persistent steps more often than in big dramatic ones. So this year, for the first time, I’ve decided not to make a list. No grandiose promises or unrealistic expectations. Instead, I’m just going to resolve to continue doing what I’m doing –  trying my best, messing up, recovering, evolving and enjoying the ride along the way. This way I can make small changes to improve myself without worrying about crossing big changes off my list.

Happy 2010 everyone.

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