February is right around the corner & I LOVE all the wonderful things it brings!! RAK week, Valentines, my anniversary, my daughter’s bday…so much LOVE. Love it!!
What do you do and how do you FEEL about the month of LOVE? Do you spread love and kindness to those around you? Do you feel more alone? Do you feel you wish you had someone to love? Do you want to enjoy it & just don’t know how to fully engage?
Here are some ideas to get you enjoying LOVE month no matter what!!
RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) LOVE: LOVE EVERYONE: Smile at everyone (even strangers). Share a compliment with someone. Surprise someone with flowers. Send a love note to at least five people you care about. Text some great notes or quotes to inspire others. Drop some money for a street performer or take a minute & share what you appreciate about their craft. Leave a note or treat for your delivery people or those you see/visit to get your hair done or someone you buy your coffee from, etc. Have compassion and hold that space for people who come into your life. Open & hold doors for people. Notice those around you–is there an elderly woman walking home & needs help with her groceries? Stop & help. Turn your phone off when you are in a deep conversation with someone–your attention is a gift. Inspire others with uplifting posts, texts, sticky-note messages, any chance you can–send some good into the world. CREATE A GIFT FOR SOMEONE. Use one of your talents & create something nice for someone. Write a song or poem, bake cookies, leave a little note, etc. My daughter has this co-worker who is amazing at drawing animals & she randomly will gift one to my daughter. It is a genuine gift made with love and care. It makes everyone feel good. DRIVE NICE! I always tease my husband on this one. I am constantly reminding him to let people in, not cut people off, be courteous to other drivers, etc. I always say, “what if that was a neighbor?” just to make him think & remember to be kind to everyone. GIVE: Whether it is going through your “stuff” & finding items to donate or you want to make a meal for someone in need–do something to get out of yourself & your life and give time, items, needs to someone who could use you or your talents. LOVE THE EARTH: be kind by recycling, composting, planting a tree, using less plastics, gaining knowledge, pick up trash or fishing line at a local park, Start an earth day campaign, etc. Do a little more of what you can do to make the world a better place. SPREAD LOVE TO CO-WORKERS: leave a small, handwritten note in everyone’s inbox. Bake something yummy to share with everyone. Give praise and acknowledge greatness on a regular basis. Care & listen. Leave inexpensive gifts as surprises for everyone [ie: mandala coloring book, quote cards, candy treats, etc] WRITE IT OUT: most people just send a silly meme wishing wells or happy bdays, but I have one friend who makes it her mission to send hand-written cards for various occasions. Sometimes it is just a wonderful gift to get a handwritten note via snail mail. BECAUSE YOU CAN: Call & tell your parents you love them OR better yet make it a fun night together. Many people have lost someone close to them & can’t reach out and share feelings. My husband’s step-dad recently fell ill with a rare disease and was gone within two weeks. It hit everyone hard, so reach out, because you can! VISIT THE ELDERLY: I just read a very sad article that mentioned how 60% of elderly in rest homes do not have visitors. At our home around Valentines we usually buy the $1 store heart doilies & we write generic love letters on them & then drop them off at our local rest home. Take the time to drop off something, visit someone, make a fun deck of cards everyone can use, share a talent, etc. BE SINCERE: we all go through the motions of asking people how they are doing, but do you really mean it? Check it next time & be genuinely present, listen and be sincere with your conversations. BE GENUINE: with your hugs, your time, your conversations, the way you give of yourself—do it all with LOVE.
DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF: Be nice to you! I wear a feather ring to remind myself “FLY: First Love Yourself” How can you do little things to be kinder to yourself? Be kind & tell yourself something you love or need affirmation. Exercise. Get quiet. Take time for yourself & give yourself some self-love by…BUY A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS, but before you do, learn & study about the symbolism associated with specific flowers or colors. [ie: Bird of Paradise symbolizes joyfulness and magnificence. A carnation Pride and Beauty. Daisy innocence and Purity. Gerber Daisy Cheerfulness. Iris Eloquence. Lily Purity and Refined beauty. Sun Flower Pure thoughts. Rose Love.] SPA DAY: either stay home & diy spa treatments OR go to a spa & indulge in a facial, get your nails done, relax to a massage, etc. Take some me-time. SOMETHING NEW: maybe you have always wanted to go to the 7pm spin class or try an indoor rock climbing gym. This is the perfect time to do something new you have always wanted to do. GET GRATEFUL: this is huge for anyone who needs to FEEL a little more ‘something’ from their life. It has been scientifically proven that if you write down five things a day that you will be 25% happier within a month. When we have grateful hearts every aspect of our lives becomes a little better. That is a great gift you can give yourself. SAY NICE THINGS. What are you saying to yourself on a daily basis? Are your being kind? Are you saying things to yourself that you would say to others [like your best friend]? Check what you are saying to yourself & focus on trying to say nice, kind things to yourself. HAVE VISION its 2020–everything should be a little more clearer this year! Take time to make a vision board. Here is my vision board story & directions to make your own https://yourhappyplaceblog.com/2013/01/02/tap-into-the-vision-for-your-life/
SOMETHING FUN WITH OTHERS: ST. VALENTINE SWAP! My daughter has a bunch of friends who work with her that are in their twenties or thirties and single. I came across a great idea: have them all swap names and give one another a fun valentine surprise!! [think Secret Santa swap] but this I am going to call The St. Valentine Swap!! So fun!! Deliver flowers, buy chocolates, give them movie tix, take them out, make a valentine’s card, etc. LAUGH OUT LOUD: gather friends or family & watch something funny. Find an old favorite comedy, put on a funny comic or have your own open-mic night & invite everyone to tell jokes, share funny & embarrassing stories, karaoke, etc. YOUR FAVORITE THINGS NIGHT: Invite friends or family over to share some of your favorites. Bring a tub of your favorite ice cream or a dvd movie that tops your list or a favorite chapstick you want to share with everyone. Have everyone bring favorite things to share & go from there. MYSTERY & MURDER: My daughter has fallen in love with murder mysteries, so we had one of her friends over & we watched the Netflix original, Murder Mystery with Jennifer Aniston & Adam Sandler, had fun food & after played the board game, CLUE. You could also make up your own Murder Mystery dinner & have guests come dressed up as their character. It doesn’t have to be a romantic comedy, just make the night fun and memorable. CURL UP & DYE IT NIGHT: bring fun colors to semi-color your hair, junk food to share, and enjoy a night of color, conversation and downtime. Make it fun for everyone! FOND OF YOU FONDUE NIGHT: Invite friends or family over for sweet and savory fondue dishes. Have them bring a favorite ingredient to share with everyone. Pull out the fondue pots and make it fun!!
I hope these ideas get you planning many special moments for LOVE month. Make it memorable. Make it FUN!! Most importantly–Spread some LOVE. xoxo
Love & JOY to you today. -H
yourhappyplaceblog 