It’s Never Too Late for Love: 5 ways to love yourself more

This Valentine’s Day my family and I witnessed a very wonderful and loving occasion. My mother got married. Now I would tell you her age but she actually reads my blogs and I don’t want her to get me but I will be 40 this year and she had me when she was 20 something so you do the math. Her new husband is 10 years her senior. A few things that did not get in the way of these two coming together was their age, race, distance or socioeconomic status or backgrounds. What ever your reasons for choosing the mate you have or desire, make that personal by prioritizing your needs and wants. What is most important for you to have in your love life? I have seen many love stories in newspapers, social media and television where seniors found themselves in love and tying the knot. Those stories always warm my heart so to observe this up close and  personal union, was an inspiration. And with that let me give you a few takeaways from this.

1. Don’t give up on love. Love is a basic human need. We all desire it but must also give it as it is beneficial to us to give and receive. Ever notice how good it makes you feel to do something for someone else? That’s love.
2. Love God. What better way to learn how to love yourself more than to love on the One who made you, and is Love Himself. Cultivating this relationship is most important and helps set the foundation for how to love others. Remember He loved us first and gave the best example by giving us His Son, Jesus.
3. Love yourself. Get to know the real you and be happy about who you are. Take care of you by tending to your needs and affirming yourself in your strengths while building up your areas of weakness. Recognize what it is you like and don’t like and take nothing less for it. Make no apologies for who you are. Freedom to be you is loving and embracing who you are.
4. Love your family. This one can be challenging sometimes because the people who are close to us, we are most vulnerable to. No family is perfect but they are ours. Take the time to cherish your family. You only get one. When it all comes down to it, these are the ones we have been entrusted with and we should give them our time and attention while we still have them.
5. Love your friends. The older you are the smaller your circle becomes and you truly learn the definition of a friend and the difference between them and associates. Decide what type of relationships you are looking for love in. Over the years I have learned that my husband does not have to be the ear for all that I want to share. He is most certainly my best friend and the one whom I want to share everything with but if I want to share about my time shopping or how I want to decorate for a party, he may not want to hear about it. I have my mom and other girlfriends for that. Whether you have a significant other or not, friendships are absolutely necessary. They help you maintain autonomy and balance.

So I leave you with these final thoughts on love, whether you are 25 or 70 Love is for everyone. Love is vital. Love is important and it’s never too late for it. Most importantly, know you are loved.