Compassion & Appreciation

Happy Valentine's Day!
Today we super focus on love, having a love, sharing love, giving things to show our love. We give roses and chocolates and cards because thats what we're supposed to do, right? If that works for you, then go for it! If today is a day you remember to show someone you care, then do it.  

I've read quotes and blogs where people complain, i want flowers  on a random day because you care and not because you have to. Complaining only perpetuates lack, not good enough and entitlement.  Shift your perspective - at the very least, if you received something, whether or not the giver 'had' to, you still received something, you still have someone in your life that thought of you.  When we complain, a token of caring wasn't good enough, you're simply setting yourself up to 'get' more things that make you feel under-appreciated.  And, that sends the giver a message that they aren't good enough either.  Yikes! what a vicious cycle that can be.  On a day were we are so focused on love, it seems to create more disappointments and bitterness.  Too much sugar in our system literally overloads our pancreas and what was meant to be sweet turns bitter.

Here are some tips to enjoy the sweetness of life and receive love:
1. Appreciation goes a long way. You know yourself, when you feel appreciated you are more willing to go the extra mile.  Appreciation breeds love, our heart swells and our smile radiates out to the world. If you aren't feeling appreciated - try appreciating some one or something that you over look most days. Try appreciating someone that is a such a constant in your life, that you tend to forget to tell them how much they mean to you. Show appreciation, not because you want it back, but because you can. It automatically goes through you first! The more you show appreciation, the more you will feel appreciated. It's an inside job anyway - if you appreciate yourself, you automatically begin to attract people and circumstances that appreciate you as well. And, today is a good reminder to do just that. So, if you plan on giving someone a gift today, fill it with true appreciation first. Wether or not the intended recipient can accept the gift of appreciation is on them, not you, because YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!

2. Compassion. Compassion comes when you see someone doing something that you've done yourself.  Today, a day focused on love - where's the compassion. To me, love and compassion go hand in hand. Compassion is a sense of caring for someone who hasn't quiet learned lesson that you have, and instead of judging them to be ignorant, you feel for them because you remember when you learned the hard way.  On a day focused on love, infuse compassion, understanding and patience into your experiences.  Give the gift of compassion. Maybe you give that gift to yourself first by being gentle on yourself - you're doing the best you can. Pause before you grumble today. Look through someones else's eyes, see their point of view - wether or not you agree with their point of view isn't the point. It's agreeing to disagree respectfully, full of compassion.  
The gift of compassion lasts a lot longer than a box of chocolates. 

On a day we are so focused on love, remember, love is all around you and if you can receive it and allow it to flow through you,  you just became the gift of Love so many people are searching for.  

May your day be full of Appreciation and Compassion & may you receive Love and allow it to flow through you.  Happy Valentine's day