February 28 - Write a Love Note
I like to remind myself that saying “I love you” and lavishing praise is absolutely free, and always appreciated, so don’t be stingy with your love!
“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.” - Sophocles
Today our practice is very simple: write a love note. It can be to someone obvious (a partner, a child, a parent, a friend), someone not obvious (your hairstylist, your gardener), yourself (what a concept!), or even someone or something you don’t know (an ancestor, a future generation, a tree). The key is to summon the emotions of gratitude and admiration, and actually write them down. Experiencing love and gratitude triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin, enhancing mood and creating calm. This makes the whole process a two-fer: good for the person receiving the note and good for you too!
Give yourself 15 minutes to complete this practice. Find a quiet place, maybe outside. Sit and breathe in the space around you. Find a sense of calm emptiness. Be sure to have a pen and paper with you.
Bring to mind someone you love. Name 3 things you love about them.
Turn to your paper and write a “love note” to this person. I put it in quotes because it can be whatever definition of love you want to use, it doesn’t have to be romantic love. Tell them the 3 things you love about them. As you finish, place your hand on your heart and say thank you, to the person you love, and to yourself for taking the time to recognize them.
Follow up by giving the note to the lucky person. Notice how receiving your love and gratitude lights them up.
How would it feel to make yourself the recipient of the love note? Is this harder for you? Why? If you wrote to someone else, maybe take a few minutes to write a 2nd love letter to yourself now.