I have been celebrating my birthday just recently and I'm feeling very loved up by the people I love. So as this week is another celebration of love - I wanted to talk about the subject as I believe it's not just about loving one significant other - although that's great - but there can be different expressions of love and that all starts with loving yourself first. I believe you cannot love anyone until you truly love yourself. I've found these thoughts and quotes helpful and inspiring in my life.........
love
"Our sole reason for being here is to get over the illusion of our separateness" - Thich Nhat Hahn
"I've learned that whenever I do something with an open heart I usually make the right decision." - Maya Angelou
"Follow your bliss" - Joseph Campbell
"Happy people make better choices and better choices make for a better planet" - Mastin Kipp
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone" - Maya Angelou
"The greatest gift I can give myself is unconditional love" - Louise L. Hay
"Love is an ever-fixed mark / That looks on tempests and is never shaken" - Shakespeare
"Poems and music are a sure way to bring us quickly into the Landscape of the Heart, since they speak its native language. The heart speaks in images and metaphors. It makes connections between the visible world and the mysteries beyond the grasp of our mind and senses. Ancient cultures relied on music and dance and the sacred word to stir the soul and create spiritual community" - Elizabeth Lesser
"Really fine art combines many emotions into one masterpiece - be that a painting, a poem, a film or literature" - Elizabeth Lesser
"Live your happiest life by accepting that some people can only be in your life as lessons and/or memories" - Karen Salmansohn
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel " - Maya Angelou
"Bring love into everything you do. Nothing out there will give you what you already have inside" - Gabrielle Bernstein
And here are some of my own:
Do work that you love and makes your heart sing
If there is something you feel passionate about or feel inspired to pursue - just do it!
The three primary realms for feeding your spirit is in your heart, the mind/imagination and the earth.
When you take care of your body and listen to it's needs - that's self love. Your body constantly talks to you. Slow down and make it a priority to listen.
Mindfulness and stillness and listening to your inner voice (intuition) will guide you. It is through the body that the spirit expresses itself. Physical activity can be a key to opening up your spiritual awareness, heart and feelings.
Look after your inner child by doing things you love to do - singing, dancing, going to the opera, ballet, theatre. Exercising in nature etc. Playing with animals. I always found riding my horse a very spiritual experience. Painting, drawing, travel and fun!
Let your heart lead your soul, let your soul lead your spirit and trust that all will be revealed to you.
You don't need anyone to complete you. You are a whole and wonderful person as you are.
Release any negativity - the more light we hold the more we can ascend
Never let it be about the money in anything you do
Consciously create your blissful life
A Spiritual Revolution is happening - be part of it
You have something they don't - we are all unique
Become a hub and connector by bringing people you love together and creating your own tribe
Gratitude and Forgiveness is the bedrock of a spiritual practice and the way to open up your heart. It's not out there - it's in here. It's an internal connection - that's what a spiritual connection is - nourish it.
Be a better version of yourself and bring it to life
Meaningful communication with other people is a spiritual practice
Play the glad game (from the Pollyanna film) at least once a day - now that's what I call gratitude!
My love and thanks to all the people who have inspired me to write and share these life enhancing quotes. We are all works in progress but I hope you have found these helpful and inspiring too. Wishing you much love and have a happy St. Valentines Day!
xxxx
PS Talking of love - can I recommend Donna Summer 'I Feel Love' - recently on the brilliant sound track to the feature film 'American Hustle'. Such a great track........and movie - watch it win many awards over the next few weeks.........and just dance to it round the kitchen on the 14th........please.
'The human race.......has unquestionably one really effective weapon - laughter!!' - Mark Twain