FEBRUARY 2024
LIFE | LOVE | LOSS
“The more I love myself, the more capable I become of loving others.”
-Rithvik Singh
LIFE | LOVE | LOSS
“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.”
-Brene Brown
LOVING OURSELVES
Its Valentines this month. I understand this holiday can bring mixed feelings. I absolutely LOVE the concept of a designated day to express extra love and affection to those in our lives. I know Valentines is super commercial and geared towards romantic love. Let’s broaden it this month to love in general.
Let’s look for and create ways to love ourselves, love what we are doing, who we are with, where we are going. If all these suggestions are making you twitch because you don’t even like most of the things I mentioned, then start where something isn’t working. What can be done? What needs to be said or resolved?
I don’t know what self-love looks like for you. For me I have fallen in and out of love with different parts of myself many many times. Sometimes I am more in a place of passive acceptance or acknowledgement more than actual love. I am not sure why it seems so much easier at times to freely and openly love other people and things more than ourselves, it just does.
“Self-love…
The most delicate intimacy”
-butterflies rising
So, with the extra focus on loving something or someone this month I invite you to put yourself on the list! Fall deeply in love with all you are and all you’re not. I understand the latter is easier to say then ‘do’.
Below are some tips from Louise L Hay to promote increased self-love.
- “Stop All Criticism
Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.
- Forgive Yourself
Let the past go. You did the best you could at the time with the understanding, awareness, and knowledge that you had. Now you are growing and changing, and you will live life differently.
- Don’t Scare Yourself
Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It’s a dreadful way to live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure, and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.
- Be Gentle and Kind and Patient
Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you really loved.
- Be Kind to Your Mind
Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don’t hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change your thoughts.
- Praise Yourself
Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.
- Support Yourself
Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.
- Be Loving to Your Negatives
Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So lovingly release the old negative patterns.
- Take Care of Your Body
Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need in order to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What kind of exercise do you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.
- Do Mirror Work
Look into your eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself while looking into the mirror. Talk to your parents while looking into the mirror. Forgive them, too. At least once a day, say, I love you, I really love you!
- Love Yourself . . . Do It Now
Don’t wait until you get well, or lose the weight, or get the new job, or find the new relationship. Begin now—and do the best you can.
- Have Fun
Remember the things that gave you joy as a child. Incorporate them into your life now. Find a way to have fun with everything you do. Let yourself express the joy of living. Smile. Laugh. Rejoice, and the Universe rejoices with you!”
Life is precious!
Time is short.
Love is real!
I wish you everything good.
All my best,
Genna
RESOURCES
988 – National Mental Health Hotline
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988
Crisis Hotlines: Common Hotline Phone Numbers | Eluna Network
Mental Health App’s
Talkspace – Best Overall Therapy App
Calm – Best Mindfulness App
My3 – Three People / Three Distractions / Safety Plan App
Chopra App – Great mindfulness and free meditations
Pride Counseling – Best Queer Mental Health App
Youper – Best Self-Guided Therapy App
Headspace – Best Anxiety App
UTAH VISION DAY
RAISING AWARENESS FOR MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION
This is the main fundraiser for the Taylor Hagen Memorial Foundation to fund programs and retreats all year.
Bereaved Mother’s Retreat’s
Bereaved Mother’s Retreat’s sponsored by Cristie North of Taylor Hagen Memorial Foundation and Leigh Anne Garcia of Andrew Garcia Memorial Foundation.
2024 Dates:
March 1st – 3rd
May 17th – 19th
September 27th – 29th Visit www.thmemorialfoundation.org or email cristie@thmemorialfoundation.org
The Next Adventure 