How do you love?  An odd question but a poignant one.  Ponder this:
How do you love yourself?  Do you take time to give to yourself?  When was the last time you set aside time just for you?  An easy way to love yourself is to remind yourself how lovable and how loved you are.

How do you love others?  Do you tell them you appreciate their efforts and are glad they are a part of your life?  Try telling them how proud you are of who they have become.  Thank them for making your life easier…..even if there are things about them you would still like to change.  Find something they do that you can appreciate and thank them for that.

How do you love your Maker?  Do you spend time in prayer or meditation?  Do you strive to model through your actions a reflection of your beliefs? Every time something goes wrong or right, give thanks for what you do have — shelter, food, warmth, friends, your health.

Having others to love and being loved are amongst our most basic human needs.  If you want love in your life, make it happen.

We all have experienced adversity and difficulty. Maybe through the loss a loved one, someone who betrayed our trust, or because a job ended. During these times, it is easy to become negative and lose our motivation for life. It is during these times when we need to look inside for strength and ask ourself, “How do I want to react to this problem? To this person?”.

Your whole life has prepared you for who you now define yourself to be. Your past has prepared you for today. How do you define yourself? Inside of you is strength and vision. Instead of reacting to that person or situation, stop. First, decide how you want to react. Your reaction will determine what happens next.

Even though unfair things happen to us and we can’t find a “good enough” explanation, remember in time, things work together for our good. We don’t always know what is the bigger picture is for our life. Remind yourself everyday to look for the good in your life. Look for the good in others. As you do, your focus will become more positive. You will see goodness naturally because you have trained your mind to do so. As a result, your choices will model your positive attitude. When that happens, your mere presence will motivate others.

One desire we are all born with is the desire to be loved; to be accepted and appreciated for who we are.  When someone likes us, does business with us, or wants to spend time with us, it is because they are drawn to our personality.  We don’t have to change who we are to be acceptable, to be loved.  We are perfect just the way we are.  We can be ourself.

The best way to receive is to give.  Today, show someone you approve of them, you accept them for who they are.  Tell them they don’t have to change–that you love them no matter what happens.  Tell your children you are glad they were born.  Give a compliment to a stranger or a child.  Then go look in the mirror and tell yourself the same thing.  See yourself as a person who deserves the best of everything. Notice how good it feels.  Make this a daily habit and see your life change.

Use Spring, this time of rebirth, to let yourself blossom.  Allow your personality to be heard and seen and know you are loved.