Image by Prashant Sharma
Hello Love,
I hope this love note finds you well. I've been revisiting these words for days, thinking of how I can truly be of service to you right now. This is one of those times I find it difficult to know what to say or how to say it, but I hope you'll bear with me as I try.
We're headed into holidays in a year unlike any year we've ever known. We've got a mountain of challenges, with grief and disappointment making themselves at home in our hearts. Some of us feeling even more divided from our families than ever. Most of us longing to have loved ones gather. All of us navigating uncharted waters.
The question emerging for me is "How do we want to do this?"
How do we want to be? How can we foster deeper connection and make love-filled memories during this potentially difficult season? How do we embrace simpler, quieter, possibly lonelier times and glean every ounce of blessing we can from it?
The Three Intentions
Three things have come to mind. They may seem obvious or even simplistic, but thinking about them has brought me a sense of calm and conviction so I offer them to you now...
1. Kindness
Starting with ourselves, can we truly embody being kind?
Listen for your inner voice. What is it saying? If it's criticizing, defeated, sad, can you say something compassionate to yourself? Can you offer kindness to the amazing being that you are?
Extending words of encouragement to yourself can completely change the moment. No matter what you might have said 5 minutes ago, you can BE kind to yourself in the next moment. And the next.
What if we could change the pattern of being unkind to ourselves and make lasting strides in how we offer kindness to others. More kindness is a welcome and needed energy in our world today. Start with yourself and let it grow.
2. Generosity
All the ways we can help right now will not only benefit the whole but deeply nourish our weary spirits, too.
Generosity can look like a million different things. Like choosing only to buy gifts from artist, crafters and small business makers, where your dollars go straight into the pocket of another human being. It can look like paying for someone's holiday meal or checking on a neighbor you haven't seen in a while. It can look like giving your employees double the bonus they had last year or offering to help someone who's carrying a heavier load that you are.
Be generous from your heart. Regardless of financial means, giving can take many forms. Get creative and find new ways to express generosity!
3. Extreme Self Caring
We are talking next level here, my friend. Now's the time to push all perceived limits of what you think you are worthy of. Rest, joy, comfort, love, it's up to you to connect deeply with your precious self.
In this slower time, where we're not filled to the brim with the usual holiday commitments and stretching ourselves thin, it's an incredible opportunity to become great stewards of our own precious lives. See what happens when you slow down and prioritize your needs, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Listen to the tiniest whispers of your heart. Heap on extra love and care!
Where Do We Start?
Start with kindness and find out how much deeper you can connect with yourself this holiday season. Can you foster a more intimate friendship with YOU? How caring can you be for that amazing being that you are?
With these 3 intentions, I think we can take this unique opportunity (which can feel very challenging) and create a fertile garden of growth and connection. One that's not built from a 'more is more', 'go go go' place, but from a soul whisper, simple pleasure, deep healing place.
I'm wrapping my best wishes around you now. Sending deep breaths and kindness your way as we move into the holidays, closing out this year of years, with gratitude.
I hope that whatever challenges you're facing you know that you are loved and appreciated. Thank you for being alive!
©2020 by Sarah Love. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission. of the author.
Written by the creator of:
The yearly "I Stand for Love" Calendar
by Sarah Love.
This calendar was created to help you love yourself more. The I Stand for Love 2021 Calendar is filled with daily love nuggets. Every day you get a fresh morsel of truth and delight for you to take in, so that over time your thoughts become your friends. Daily love will transform you.
Click here for more info and/or to order the 2021 calendar (on Sarah's website).
About the Author
Sarah Love McCoy is the visionary artist behind the I Stand For Love movement and the creator of the "Life Is Beautiful and So Are YOU!" calendar. Art and magic intertwine in all of her creations. Besides firing up the Love Revolution, her most favorite things to do are finger paint, hike through lush landscapes, sip jasmine tea and ponder the mystery of it all. Say hello to Sarah (and find out how to become a Love Warrior) at www.istandforlove.com
