February is often thought of as the month of love with the celebration of Valentine?s Day.  The fact that we have set aside a whole day to honor and celebrate love shows us the magnificent importance that love plays in our life.  Valentines Day does not have to be just the celebration between lovers or partners.  It can be about the love you have with your child, parent, sibling, friend, self and universe.

There is nothing more fulfilling and satisfying in life than the act of loving and being loved.  It is the most profound experience we can have.
Love is essential for our mental and physical well-being.  It is essential for our survival.  Love is more than just a feeling, it is a whole body experience and it has a physiological effect on the body.

Have you ever noticed how much better you feel physically and how your mood improves when you receive a hug or affection from someone who loves you or when you have expressed your love to someone or participate in an act of love?

Loving and being loved actually improves our level of health.  It boosts the immune system and improves mood.  I have witnessed this truth in my own life over and over and frequently hear similar testaments from many other people.  The bookstores abound with books attesting to the healing power of love.

Not only does love improve our health, but it also lightens our load.
Difficulties and challenges that life presents us with are much easier to deal with when love is in our life.  We feel more capable and happier.  It makes life richer and more worth living.

Cultivating love in your life is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your health.  This includes loving yourself.  Accepting who you are with all your limits.  Accepting your diagnosis without shame.
Loving yourself is essential to taking proper care of yourself and to your health care journey.

Allowing ourselves to love others deeply and completely is the greatest gift we can give ourselves.  Yes, there is always the fear that you may be rejected or hurt, but don?t allow this to hinder you.  Allow yourself to take the risk.  Permit yourself to feel love and express love. 
Build deep meaningful relationships.  Allow yourself to be vulnerable.
Immerse yourself completely in the loving experience.

Tips to Cultivate Love in Your Life this Valentine?s Day:

If you are without partner give yourself all those things you would receive from them.  Give yourself a hug, praise, and affection.  Take yourself on a date.  Buy yourself something special.  Make love with yourself.  Have a love affair with nature.

If you are with partner, tell them how much you love them, value them, and appreciate them. Do something special for them.  Plan a special celebration.
Express your feelings.  Tell everyone in your life how much you love them and what they mean to you.

Hug your children; tell them you love them as often as possible.  Read them a story.  Savor your precious moments with them.

Nurture a connection with nature.  Touch, smell, and feel the trees, the wind, a rock.  Feed the birds or mingle with wildlife.  Appreciate the magnificent beauty nature presents to you every day.

Buy a Valentines card for all those in your life that you love.

Make a homemade card for the special people in your life.  Every year my son and me would make each other a Valentine?s Day card with crayons, colored pencils and construction paper.  It was something we really enjoyed doing together and the cards were always so special because they were created with our own hands and came straight from the heart.

Allow your love to expand to all living things.  Don?t take life or those around for you granted.  Cultivate love on a daily basis not just on Valentine?s Day.  Life is short.  Don?t let this precious gift slip by without experiencing it completely.