Stress Center Peer Support

With Valentine's Day around the corner, I thought these suggestions (adapted from BH&G, Feb 2008, article) were great, positive and fun. I hope you'll share some of your own, too!

1. Write "I love you" on a family message board.
2. Pamper yourself by lighting candles in the bathroom.
3. Write a reason you love someone, on a post-it or a calendar, for every day in February (or the year).

MC Grace,
Those sound great! Although I don't have any to return today. I am kinda down and out. But tomorrow will be anew day and I am looking forward to it!
Take Care,
Paintingandlovingit

I'm ambivalent about the romantic aspect of Valentines Day--so I look for ways to celebrate family, friends, and myself!

Single friends unite! If you're single and feeling a little sad about it, call/e-mail another single buddy with a kind word.
Join in. Wear pink/red. Why not?
Make heart-shaped cookies or pancakes. (Craft stores sell heart-shaped cookie cutters.)

GREAT TOPIC "MCGRACE"!!!

Whether it be you/your - spouse/partner/children/parents/sybling/cherished friend - etc, HOW ABOUT WE ADOPT A LIFESTYLE -so that we show LOVE TO OURSELVES & OUR LOVED ONES - every day of the year & not just 1 day - LOVE/RESPECT/GRATITUDE/APPRECIATION/LAUGHTER(food for the soul).

Trust me, I am so a romantic at heart - MRS QUEEN SENSATIVE - lol. I am so a MUSH POT. I just like to show it & express it everyday. Whether it is a tele call + nice email + cool text message for no reason @ all + a post it message left in hubby's wallet - so he wouldn't see it till after he left for work + a friendship card mailed for no reason other than to say HELLO + a fave meal @ the dinner table(cooking their fave recipes) + a get together lunch w/ a friend + a meal prepared & delivered for that busy friend who has young children OR maybe some one who has an ailment - ANYTHING will do, really.

I believe in LOVE & love LOVING, lol - if that makes sense. See hubby & I don't celebrate Valentines PER SAY - you see, my hubby is GREAT to me every single day of the year, no joke. Not to say we don't get on eachother's nerves - WE DO. But, we appreciate the blessing of our love & marital union everyday(married 10 yrs & together 14 YEARS). WE'RE BLESSED. SAME THING W/ FAMILY & FRIENDS..

See, 9/11 greatly effected me(not to put a hamper on this wonderful topic) - it SCARED ME -having been there physically - the thought of losing ALL I LOVED - flashed b/4 me. Now, I have always been MUSHY as I stated. But, often I may have taken things for granted. So, after that day - I made a promise - I wouldn't assume anything & never take things for granted. SO, AS A RESULT - every single day of the year(whenever me & hubby part company: he leaves for work - I leave house to go shopping, etc) - I TELL HIM & VICE VERSA - <span class="ev_code_RED">I LOVE YOU!</span>We go to bet - "sleep tight - I luv you" - honest. FRIENDS - I've learned to say I luv you OR I'm sorry OR thank you OR how are you doing(just expressing love & gratitude everyday) - FAMILY: same thing - a little plant for no reason, baked something(their fave) - delivered to them - or EX: my mother in law loves them LOTTERY scratchy things - we'll buy some & stop by to see her & father in law - give them JUST BECAUSE - NO REASON.

MYSELF: me taking this journey + going thru therapy + purchasing & completing Lucinda's program + exercising/eating healthy/changing = me loving myself. I will take a bubble bath w/ Yani or Kenny G on the c/d player. Or, I will buy myself a little something(not necessarily NEEDED lol): perfume, pedicure/manicure,a fave book, that cute TOP @ the store that looks SO GOOD ON ME(even if I don't need another 1), meditation/relaxation session, a funny movie OR ROMANTIC ONE(sleepless in seattle or WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING) - again, anything.

I am like anyother woman: I want to be acknowledged/appreciated/loves/accepted/feel loved - sexy, sure. Now, hubby is such a great guy - but he's a man. Maybe sometimes I need to hint or express a need or desire here & there - GUIDE HIM, lol - we just established a minset/lifestyle - we are committed to our marriage/relationship - our family comes 1st & whatever it takes to make it work & all needs are met, WE DO IT.

LOVE is a gift - no matter who its fr, HOW ABOUT WE SHOW IT everyday?

LENORE

Lenore...
thank you for reminding me of all these wonderful things... I feel great just reading of all these wonderful things you do. I have gotten away from doing "the little things" and you reminded me how precious they are. Thank you!

Hey everyone!
I like this topic! I think that Lenore is right that we should show our love for people everyday and not just on valentine's day. But here are some other things I would do:
*Just your typical 3rd grade writing little cards with candy and sending it or giving it to friends.
*Getting a message or accupuncture.
*Giving a friend a message.
That's all I have for now,

Katie