Brené Brown says, “Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.”  How true is that?!

8 years ago, I got Anahata tattooed on my inner wrist.  Anahata is the sanskit name of the fourth chakra also known as the heart chakra.  The energetics of this chakra have to do with love, compassion, forgiveness and acceptance both for self and for others.  When our heart chakra is open we are able to give and receive love with ease, we experience joy, belonging, gratitude and trust.  This tattoo was a commitment to myself to practice and work at keeping this chakra open and balanced.  I have had to let go of people, habits, memories and self talk that were all getting in the way of me connecting and nurturing this powerful energy center that represents love and joy.  I wanted to share with you some daily practices that you can implement to open your heart chakra and nurture your ability to love more deeply.

5 Tips to Open Yourself To Love:

  1. Smile more.  Smiling is contagious, it boosts your mood and has the potential to boost the mood of those around us. Make a commitment to smile more often.
  2. Gratitude.  Start your day by writing down 3 things that you are grateful for. Be it your warm cup of tea, the sunshine peeking through your blinds, the sound of the birds chirping, etc.  Research shows, that giving thanks on a regular basis makes us happier.
  3. Positive Affirmations.  Mind your mind. “ I am ______________.” Fill in the blank. (Strong. Beautiful. Loving. Grateful. Happy. Healthy. Connected. Inspired. etc.) Practice positive affirmations on a regular basis!
  4. Compliment People. “I love your ­­­­­­________________.”  Fill in the blank. (Your haircut. Your glasses. Your yoga mat. Your coffee cup. Etc.)  It feels good to give and receive compliments.  It changes your focus and your mindset to one that is more positive and loving.
  5. Let go of emotions that are getting in the way of your happiness.  In order to experience love and joy we need to have space for these emotions.  If that space is occupied by fear, jealousy, anger, and grief – we need to let go of these emotions, to make room for the emotions that we want to feel.  Commit to letting go of things in your life that are not serving you.

We need to give love, in order to receive love.  The equation is so simple and yet so many of us are not nurturing that love for ourselves.  If the love we receive is a reflection of the love that we give, then let’s commit to a regular practice of self-love.

Valentine’s day is an opportunity to show those around us that we care, to share kindness and love but why not let every day be an opportunity to share love.  It is good for your heart, your mind and your soul.

With love,

Christina