Article from LCResource Newsletter - January 2008
Celebrating your continued development.

Title: It's February - Open Your Mind and Let Cupid Open Your Heart

by: Linda Joy Walden, L.R.G.C., M.S.L.C.

Are you ready to embrace the Spirit of Valentine's Day?  Romance is supposed to bloom and love is definitely in the air.  Roses, candy, and cards are the preferred presents of the day.  Are you spending these days with your friends and loved ones?  And couples, should they put more effort into the things that are necessary for maintaining strong love relationships?  Why not?  After all, Valentine's Day comes once a year, and the question that needs to be answered is, `How do we keep love alive?'  

So if you are already in a relationship, about to enter one or hoping one will come your way in the future, are you ready to find ways to work through the piercing of Cupid’s arrows?

There are so many theories on love.  But no matter where you go for love, it is made up of three primary components--intimacy, commitment, and passion! So what’s a person looking for love to do?  Many relationships tend to contain just one or two elements.  And oftentimes if the relationship begins with all three, one slips by the wayside.  Couples should look at all three areas to find out if any need to be nurtured.   But how should you look?  After all, you are looking for love, why do you have to look for the ingredients as well?  Why?  Because when one wants the most powerful, satisfying expression of life, one must be willing to go all out for it—that’s why.

So let’s start with intimacy.  Intimacy involves talking honestly and disclosing oneself to the other person.  Intimacy is feeling close and connected.  Intimacy is listening to each other.   Yes, you figured it out.  Intimacy is communicating on an intimate level.

And then comes commitment.  Making the decision that one is invested in the relationship and doing things that show it.   Seems easy right?  Wrong!  Because then comes passion.  Passion-- all those things that Valentine's Day usually focuses on--the romance, infatuation, excitement, desire.

So it would appear that intimacy and communication are at the heart of love. Yet when asked, "What is love?" the response usually cites honesty, openness, friendship, personal closeness, and feelings of "one-ness" and togetherness as elements that contribute to intimacy.   So if nothing creates intimacy better than an honest sharing of oneself with another person, communication becomes central to a love relationship.

So is having a relationship that's `Valentine's Day all year' realistic?  Perhaps not.  Too many things can intrude into relationships that have gone beyond the early romance stage. But by working at how they communicate, couples can strengthen their relationships and keep the Valentine’s Day foundation alive all year.

Focus each day not on what you can accomplish, but how much caring and love you express to others and yourself.

Love is what we all desire. When we do not feel that powerful emotion we are in some form of pain. Our soul wants to express love and be loved. It is important to keep in mind that true love is unconditional.

Remember, the most important things in life are to love yourself and others.  Be truly who you are.  Do what you want to do.  Live in love and gratitude.

So while Valentine's Day may not be everyday, the spirit of the celebration is expressing love.  The most powerful gift is not only to tell your loved ones you love them in different ways, but to remember to also tell yourself.

END.

About the Author: Linda Walden holds her certification as a Life, Relationship & Grief Coach and Master SPIRIT LIFE Coach. Linda is a motivational speaker for law firms and businesses and work with individuals and groups in areas of relationships, transitions and grief. We are ever grateful for the contribution that Linda has made to our newsletter over the last few years. Should you wish to contact the author, please contact our corporate email: rhema-int@shaw.ca.

Copyright Notice: Linda Joy Walden. http://www.officiallovelinda.com/
This article is copyright of Linda Walden © 2008. All rights reserved.
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