​How are you today? Did you survive St Valentine's Day yesterday? Did you feel any more or less loved? Did you feel under pressure to perform, to present, to show? Or was it just another day?

I took myself to a Zumba class which was lovely and fun. It was a loving gesture to myself to move. Valentine's Day has never been a thing for me. Once, when I had a boyfriend, Valentine's Day became something the year I was away in February. It had NOT been a thing when we were together previous Februarys. I don't think we lasted another February after that.

​It was lovely to receive messages from friends yesterday and how the singles are being consciously wished well these days. Love is universal. Love is for all and not a special thing only couples enjoy.

My most interesting Valentines Day was when I made red hearts about an inch big with a cut out maker. Armed with these paper hearts littering my pockets I would share them with every passer-by I met on my walks that day. Catching the eye of some one as they walked toward you was the initial challenge. Often they would look down or away to avoid you. You could feel a resistance build in them as they began to realise I had more than a friendly glance in mind. What was I going to do?

​As I reached out my hand, pinching a heart they could not see as my thumb covered it, they invariably hesitated. Their way was interrupted. They did not want to receive anything. Is she selling something? What does she want from me? I don't have time?

​As I passed with a smile and they left with a tiny heart in their hand, I could feel their shoulders drop behind me. I would turn my head and the eyes were softer now and gentleness resumed as they took a moment to realise what the heart represents, and smiled back at me. No danger here. The fear of the storm had passed, and it wasn't as bad as expected.

​Isn't it amazing how we resist love, connection, engagement because we don't have time, or fear something. We don't listen to our loved ones because we are too busy. We are afraid to slow down in case of  . . . .what?

So a day has been created to help us to sit down and share a special time with our beloved. Culture (Hallmark or the saint, you choose) has done this for us to remind us that love is what it is all about. Love is why we are here.

​And if we look at our busy ness it's probably wrapped in love. We get up in the morning for the love of life. It may be to get the kids to school because we love them and wish for them to have a good day being educated. We get up to work, to make a difference in our jobs to provide a service to other people, or to make money to support our loved ones. We make food to share for the love of our friends and family. We make a cup of tea for someone to sit and share or enjoy in comfort. They are acts of love.

​But sometimes we don't see it like that. We see the everyday as mundane. We see pain as not moving right. We feel pressure because we judge ourselves and have an inner battle of negative thoughts. We have no time, we are late, we will get into trouble. We live in cycles of habit that include blame and hurt and pain and loss.

​But it is so easy to interrupt a pain by looking at it in a new way. When we choose to say I am here I am standing on my own two feet, and I am ok in this moment. I am loving myself.  When I realise I stand on a world that is constantly moving and it supports me. I am loving my self. When I choose to let my breath go and feel the expansive nature of my chest. I am loving myself. When I stop and take in the magic of nature on this earth. I am loving myself and the world I live in. When I stop arguing to be right, I am loving myself and the arguer. When I stand up for myself and stay true to my conviction, I am loving myself.

Every little act is actually borne of love. It's all a matter of perspective.

​How does it feel . . . to allow yourself time . . . to appreciate . . . something ordinary?
​
Everyday is Love Day.

Love Fiona x

​Thanks to Deirdre and Elizabeth for inspiring today xxx  
​Saturday March 4th a workshop on Living With Ease may interest you. We will look at simple ways to take care of (love) your self in everyday practical ways.