Valentine’s Day might feel a bit yucky and commercial but showing someone you care doesn’t have to involve candlelit twosomes or cheesy cards. Say it with actions instead.
Appreciate – what most people want is to be understood and valued. Making people feel good about themselves is a key element in mindful loving.
Accept – you need to let go of your opinions sometimes. Remember agreeing to disagree is an option!
Listen – put your phone down, stop rummaging through your bag and really give somebody your undivided attention. Everybody deserves to be listened to. Empathise – remember that other people are just as complicated as you are.
Laugh – you can’t be angry, sad or anxious when you’re laughing and it’s the quickest defuser of rows.
Respect – each other’s need for independence as well as togetherness. Try to be perceptive.
Passion – love shouldn’t just be directed at one person. It can be a passion and energy for friends, family, humanity – any of life’s pleasures. Practise it whenever you can.
Read More Time to Think by Nancy Kline (Cassell, £11.99) and The Little Book of Love by Tiddy Rowan (Quadrille, £5.99)
This post was first published on Valentines Day 2015.
