Home =>
Holidays => Valentine's Day => Valentine's Day
Related Articles:
The History of Valentine's Day | Homemade Hearts for Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
by Jacqueline McLaughlin Hale
Description: Ideas for remembering ourselves on Valentine's Day.
Sponsored links:
February-Valentines Day-A day when we are encouraged to express our love freely and openly
to those who matter the most in our lives. And every year, we put a lot of time and effort
into planning for this one event. We wonder what we can do to make this a special day for our
partners. We question what we can give them. WE buy gifts; we choose cards; we select special
flowers. Finally, we prepare for a romantic evening out. We may buy a new dress or search for
new shoes or look for something special to help celebrate and share all the love we have in our
lives and in our hearts. But every year, we leave someone out!
Each Valentine's Day, we forget ourselves! On a day dedicated to joyously celebrating love
we neglect to honor and acknowledge the love we have for us. We just don't think about it!
For some, the mere thought of it causes embarrassment. Why do we generally harbor a feeling
that self-love is wrong? Why do we believe it to be vain or self-centered? Or worse yet, why
can we find no reason TO love ourselves? Maybe it's because we can see our flaws so clearly.
And so we believe that others must be able to see them too. Maybe it's these horrible
imperfections that cause us to feel unworthy of our own love. Yet if we can't love ourselves,
how can we love anyone else and how can we expect anyone else to love us in return, including
our families??
So often I hear women complain that their spouses and their children take them for granted.
These women do EVERYTHING around the house without asking for help, without complaining,
without seeking anything in return. They GIVE and give and give, continuously and silently.
Sooner or later all that they do catches up with them. They tire and become tired of all the
chores, of all the responsibilities of all the giving. They get angry with their family for
not helping out and for EXPECTING them to do all that they do. But why shouldn't the family
expect it? They know no different.
We set the tone for how we will be treated by our families, our employers, our friends and
even strangers. We do this by the way in which we treat ourselves and by the way in which we
ALLOW others to treat us.
The people in our lives will respond to us in the same manner we respond to us. IF we treat
ourselves without respect, without appreciation, and without gratitude then others will do the
same. Conversely, if we treat ourselves with dignity, love and honor, than others will do the
same. WE set the example.
In the same way, it is our belief in our own worthiness that creates the limits for how we
will allow ourselves to be treated. If we ALLOW our families to EXPECT and to take us for
granted, then they will! If establish limits and boundaries for how we will allow ourselves to
be treated, our families will come to respect those too. It all starts with us!
So this Valentine's Day do something a little bit different. Put some time and effort into
planning to make this day special for you. Question what you can give yourself and make sure
you give yourself the gift of time. If only for a few minutes, take this day and HONOR you.
Love yourself in spite of your imperfections. It is NOT vain. It is NOT self centered. It IS
respectful and I can't think of anyone who deserves your respect more…
Reprinted with permission.
