Love

• Who was the last person to upset you? How did you feel? How did you react to the person? How did they react to you? Now, if you had responded to that person in a loving way, what would you have said or done differently?
• Can you think of any blocks that might be preventing you from letting more love into your life? For example, perhaps a person hurt you badly in the past. Do you carry around this hurt and resentment? Is it affecting your current relationships or lack of? How so? 
• On a scale from one to ten, how much love are you bringing to the following areas of your life: relationships, finances, health, hobbies, parenting, and work? If you are not content with your “love” level in any of these areas, what could you do to put a fire under that flame?

• The next time someone stirs up a negative reaction in you such as fear, anger or disappointment, step back for a second and observe your feelings before you react. Consciously shift your thinking by asking yourself, “How can I respond to this person from a loving perspective?” Document what the result was when you responded this way, what the person’s reaction was and how you felt afterward.
• Be courageous and face the blocks that may be preventing love from coming into your life or being fully expressed in your current relationships. Think of how you can look at the relationship differently perhaps by focusing on any good that came out of it. How have you grown as a person? Write all of this down. 
• Take one area in your life, i.e., finances, health or relationships and think of ways you can bring more love to this area. For example, if you choose relationships, one of the ways you can bring more love to them is by not assuming people know that you love them and telling them whenever you can, like there’s no tomorrow.

1. Look at things from a loving perspective. Whenever you feel negative emotions regarding a person or a situation, step back and observe these feelings and then make a choice to look at the person or situation in a loving way. You will be amazed at the difference this can make in your life. You will experience more peace and harmony and create the same for others. Although this may be a Pollyanna approach to life, and not always so easy, it’s a more enlightened and peaceful path to follow than the one of being angry and hurt.  
2. Make love a priority. Tell three people in your life that you love them as if you only had a month to live, especially those who you don’t say it at all to or rarely. Commit to telling them on a regular basis whether it’s in words or writing. In romantic love, what could be holding you back from opening your heart to someone? Undo the ties that bind you by discovering what they are and where they come from and then making a vow to conquer them.
3. Serve other people. Volunteer, visit an elderly neighbor, call a friend, really listen to people, and be authentic in what you say, give sincere compliments, forgive, and be generous with your time and money. Reach out to those who need your strength and kindness without any expectation of something in return. The more and more you do this the less and less you will think of yourself, and your sense of service will become stronger giving way to a richer and more fulfilling life.    
4. Choose the loving way. Take the high road in difficult and trying situations by reacting in a more loving manner. When you find that you are criticizing yourself, notice this and practice accepting yourself as you are. Also, accept people for who they are. Try not to judge people so quickly by taking into consideration their limitations and personal struggles.
5. Love yourself. The first and most important love of all is the love of self because without it you cannot truly give of yourself. Practice loving yourself by taking care of your mind, body and spirit. Take care of your mind: take courses, read the newspaper, have thoughtful conversations and seek interests you find stimulating. Take care of your body: eat healthy, exercise regularly, take vitamins, and meditate. Take care of yourself spiritually: practice your religion, discover what brings you joy and pursue it, read books by spiritual leaders you find interesting and get out among nature.