For this week's blog post, I've compiled a list of ways that you can show others that you love them. Doesn't this make Valentine's Day so much more exciting? Showing love doesn't have to cost money. It doesn't have to be about romantic love. AND it doesn't have to make you feel left out or lonely.
If you have ideas that can be added to this list, leave a comment so we can spread the love.
WAYS TO SHOW LOVE TO OTHERS
1. Write a note and deliver it to someone whom you love. Tell them how much they mean to you.
2. Offer to do a chore for an older neighbor or family member.
3. Write a thank you note to a colleague and email it to them.
4. Compliment a stranger.
5. Hug your children (even if they are grown ups).
6. Let someone go before you in line at the grocery store.
7. Smile at someone . . . anyone.
8. Give words of encouragement to someone who is struggling.
9. Give an anonymous gift. This doesn't have to be something expensive. It can even be homemade.
10. Take the time to listen to someone when they are talking. Stop everything, make eye contact, don't think about what you want to say. Just listen.
11. Say, "I love you."
12. Say, "Thank you."
13. Say, "I'm sorry."
14. Forgive someone for a wrong they've committed against you. Write the wrong on a piece of paper. Rip it into tiny shreds. Throw it away figuratively and literally. Then, completely let it go . . . forever.
15. Call a friend and talk.
16. Make your family's favorite meal. (If each family member has their own personal favorite, you can do this over a period of several weeks. Choose one day a week and make one family member's favorite meal. Then, the next week, choose another family member and make their favorite, and so on and so on).
17. Give money to a charity. Make the donation in your loved one's name. A small amount is perfectly OK. It's not about the money. It's about the act of helping someone out, knowing your loved one's passions, and giving.
18. Give your significant other the gift of alone time. If you don't have a significant other, give yourself some alone time. Yes, this is a way to give love to others. Refueling yourself will give you the energy to give even more love.
19. Speak words of blessings for a whole day. This is easier than it sounds. Just don't let anything come out of your mouth for 24 hours.
20. Ask someone out to coffee, or dinner, or lunch, and pay. Really, the best way to show love is to simply BE with those that you care about.
OK. It's your turn. Add your ideas below. Let's make this Valentine's Day the best one ever. I love you, my friends.