LOVE has a language of its own!
February: it’s the month of love! Tina Turner recorded a hit song called “What’s love got to do with it?” The chorus says, “What’s love got to do, got to do with it? What’s love but a second-hand emotion…who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?” But, Love’s got everything to do with it! It’s the driving force for everything we do. Love compels us to move forward.
I’m not sure why we only celebrate LOVE in February. I think it’s essential to practice LOVE every day—loving yourself and loving others. Did you know LOVE even has its own Love ”Languages?” Well, we may know them as the “5 Love Languages,” by Gary Chapman. If you are married, you must have dabbled into the topic! Communication seems to be the number one issue in our marriage—because we speak different love languages!
If we were to give people what “they” truly need, not what we think they need, it could mean a world of difference. Whether it’s your spouse, your child, your friends, or your loved ones, getting to know them and asking the right questions could really strengthen that relationship. Love’s got everything to do with it! It never fails.
Well, how can we remember how to love others if we can’t even love ourselves first? What can we do for ourselves that will help us love ourselves and live a more peaceful life? I know that removing the clutter and chaos in our lives leads to a more peaceful and productive day. So, today, let’s focus on remembering the 5 love languages when it comes to loving ourselves!
Words of affirmation
Be kind to yourself. Okay, so you didn’t have a successful year and now you’re afraid to even set new resolutions for this year. Don’t let your past dictate your future! Keep your daily tasks simple. Take one step at a time. Make a list of affirmations for yourself or subscribe to daily affirmations. Keeping a positive attitude and reminding yourself ‘you can do it’ is key to your success. This year you will not let negative thoughts keep you from moving forward!
Quality time
Do you feel you didn’t have enough time to do what you wanted to do? This year, make the time! Put yourself on the calendar and keep that time slot holy! Don’t let anything or anyone interrupt your time. Go get that manicure, massage, or hour of cuddling with a book! You deserve that quality time with yourself. You are worth it!
Physical touch
Okay, stay focused, lol. We’re going to use this reminder to declutter! We will go through our belongings, requiring physical touch, and let go of the things that no longer conjure up good feelings. Do hold onto that fuzzy blanket you love so much! But, let go of items from the past that bring up guilt, sadness, or false expectations. Let them go, and start new. New year, new goals, and new possibilities!
Acts of service
Yes! By letting go, not only are you doing an act of service to yourself, you can donate your belongings to bless others! Schedule a donation pickup every month! When the reminder email comes in that your scheduled donation pick-up is approaching, you will find yourself scrummaging around and looking for items to donate! You will be surprised to find at least a bag of donations ready to leave your space!
Receiving gifts
It’s okay to receive gifts! We love gifts! But, try to remember the “One in, one out” rule. We don’t want to just accumulate. Keep the pipeline open and flowing. Don’t let it get clogged. Keep your blessings coming and freely give them back out!
Try practicing these 5 love languages on yourself. In time, you’ll be a master at identifying the right language of your loved one too. You may have heard this in many weddings, but it is so true:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
So, regardless of what shape your heart is in, if it was broken or hurt, let’s practice some SELF-LOVE! We can’t love others if we can’t love ourselves. How we love ourselves also reflects how we will love others. Sorry, Tina Turner, I have to disagree: love’s got everything to do with it! It’s the very thing that keeps us going. Let’s strengthen it, and have yourself a very Happy Valentine’s Month!