Ways to be Romantic
by Rinatta Paries
Rarely does Valentine's Day pass by without your notice. Even if you are
single and think the day has no significance, the day will arrive and you will
want a relationship more than usual. If you are in a relationship and
Valentine's Day does not get celebrated, it will leave hurt and resentment in
its wake.
I invite you to think of Valentine's Day as "Focus on Love Day," as opposed to
"Hurt About Lack of Love Day" or "Ignore Being Single Day."
Below you will find ways to make your "Focus on Love Day" extraordinarily
romantic, whether you are in a long-term relationship, dating, or are single.
A note for people who are in a new relationships, or who are dating someone
but are not in a committed relationship. At the beginning of a relationship,
it is best not to have too any expectations about how Valentine's Day will be
celebrated. It is also best not to get disappointed if it is not celebrated in
just the way you would want. In time, as you and your partner get closer, both
of you will be able to celebrate Valentine's Day and other holidays in more
meaningful ways.
This Valentine's Day, create a perfect "Focus on Love Day" for yourself,
regardless of what your dating partner may or may not have planned for you.
Look at the suggestions for singles below.
Then, do something small, but meaningful for your dating partner. Look for
suggestions for couples below, but tone the activity down a bit.
And now, 10 ways to make your "Focus on Love Day" extraordinarily romantic:
1. The Perfect Day
Couples:
See if you can start to notice what your lover dreams about, wishes for.
Listen for small, attainable things that can make a big difference.
Alternatively, subtly question your lover about what he/she pictures as the
perfect Valentine's Day. Now take the information you have gathered and make
it into a perfect day for him or her.
Singles:
If you had a partner, what would you have him or her do to create your perfect
Valentine's Day? Create it for yourself - love yourself that much.
2. The Perfect Card + One Perfect Rose
Couples:
Buy or make a lovely card and then fill it to the brim with words of love,
admiration and appreciation. By "fill it to the brim," I mean leave no white
space untouched. Present it with one perfect rose.
Singles:
Buy or make a lovely card for yourself, and just as above, fill it to the brim
with words you want to hear from your future lover. Seal the envelope and open
it on Valentine's Day. Present it to yourself with one perfect rose.
3. Valentine's Day is Not Just for Women
Couples:
Ladies, I have it on good authority that guys want to be celebrated too. So
get him flowers and candy and a card, too.
Singles:
Guys, give yourself that same wonderful Valentine's Day as a relationship
partner would give you. You may feel silly, but you will also feel good.
4. Say Goodbye to Obligation, Say Hello to Open Heart
Couples:
Don't give or do anything out of obligation this Valentine's Day. Give only
from your heart, from love and treasuring your partner. No matter how good or
bad your relationship is going, get in touch with how much you truly love and
appreciate your partner. Give from that space.
Singles:
Don't beat yourself up for not having a partner. You have not failed. You are
not bad. Valentine's Day can be "Focus on Love for Yourself Day" as easily as
"Focus on Love for Another Day."
5. The Gift of Undivided Attention
Couples:
Give your partner the gift of undivided attention and see if she or he doesn't
find that the most romantic thing going.
Singles:
Give yourself the gift of your own undivided attention. Take away all of the
distractions and be with yourself the way you would want your partner to be
with you.
6. Gift of Communication, I
Couples: Men, allow your woman to talk about whatever her heart desires, and
listen. Ladies, let your man talk or answer your question without finishing
his sentences for him, interrupting him, or moving on to the next topic. See
if this doesn't make sparks fly.
Singles:
Either find a person who will listen to you the way you need to be heard, or
give yourself space and time to listen to your own thoughts and feelings or to
journal.
7. Gift of Communication, II
Couples:
Ladies, give your man the gift of sitting down next to him in silence. No
talking allowed. Men, give your lady the gift of talking and sharing from your
heart. No closing down, walling up or running away allowed.
Singles:
Either silence or open heart, give yourself whichever one you need.
8. A Gift with Interest
Couples:
Is your partner into computers, and you don't know a mouse from a monitor? Or
is she into gardening, but to you a rose is just a rose? Give your partner the
gift of your interest in something that is important to him or her. Go ahead,
ask your partner a question about it and see the smile light up his or her
face.
Singles:
Give yourself the gift of time to pursue your important interests. Take the
time to do something that nourishes you and makes you happy.
9. The Trust
Couples:
Ladies, give the man in your life the gift of trusting him to know how and
when to take care of himself and you. Trust that he will do the best he can
for Valentine's Day. Gentlemen, hold her trust sacred, and learn to listen for
subtle requests. Then honor them. The celebration of love will feel good to
both of you.
Singles:
Today, trust your process and your fate. Today, trust that you too will be
loved and cherished by a partner. Today, remember all the people who already
love and cherish you.
10. A Shower of Words
Couples:
Write your loved one a love letter or poem and read it to them on Valentine's
Day. Here come the tears.
Singles:
Write yourself a love letter or poem, exactly the way you would want it
written by a lover. Read it to yourself out loud and have Kleenex ready.
Plan to have a happy Valentine's Day!
Your Relationship Coach,
Rinatta Paries www.WhatItTakes.com
(c) Rinatta Paries, 1998-2002. Do you know
how to attract your ideal mate? Do you know how to build a fulfilling
relationship, or how to reinvent yours to meet your needs? Relationship Coach
Rinatta Paries can teach you the skills and techniques to attract and sustain
long-term, healthy partnerships. Visit
www.WhatItTakes.com where you'll find quizzes, classes, advice and a free
weekly ezine. Become a "true love magnet(tm)!"
Extend Your Love this
Valentine's Day : Gifts for Your Animal Companion by Susan Dunn, The
EQ Coach
THE HEART
BOND
There’s an Indian myth. When the world was created and all the people
and animals were present, suddenly there was an earthquake. It started to rend
the world in half, splitting the people from the animals. Just before the
split became too great to navigate, the dog jumped over to be with man.
We feel intuitively that we have a special bond with dogs, cats and other
mammals. There’s a scientific basis for this as well, and it’s called a
“limbic connection.” Read more about this in “A General Theory of Love,” by
Amini et al -
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375709223/
susandunnmome-20 ).
HOW THIS WORKS
Our brain is really three brains: the reptilian brain, the limbic
brain, and the neocortex. Automatic instinctive processes are controlled by
the reptilian brain, also known as the brain stem, such as breathing, and
heart beat. We think, as only human’s can, with our neocortex.
The limbic brain is the seat of our emotions and we share this with mammals.
We share a limbic connection with them – we send emotional signals back and
forth. We need this connection to thrive.
Our intuition that life is better with a dog or cat, ferret or rabbit in the
house is backed by scientific study after scientific study. People heal more
quickly from heart attacks if there is a dog in the home, moreso than if
there’s another human in the home. Being with a pet lowers our blood pressure,
and pets are egalitarian: The mere presence of a dog will lower the blood
pressure of an ailing senior, a healthy college student, or a child reading a
book alone in a room.
THE HEALING CONNECTION
We’re recognizing this bond and its mutual healing power through the
growing fields of Animal-assisted Therapy, and Animal Communicators.
The Pacific Animal Therapy Society (http://www.island.net/~patspets/
) offers an active animal therapy program, bringing pets to hospitals,
retirement homes and other facilities where residents benefit from interaction
with animal companions.
http://www.dog-play.com/therapy.html also offers animal assisted therapy.
An animal visit offers entertainment, distraction from pains and infirmity,
and comfort.
“People often talk to dogs, and share with them their thoughts and feelings
and memories,” they say. A visiting animal companion provides something to
look forward to, and makes conversation easier between two strangers, giving a
common interest and a focus for conversation.
The Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta offers the “PAWS in the Classroom”
program, an animal-facilitated learning experience for special junior high
students, where students learn about human and animal relationships, including
intra and inter-species attachments and bonding, the benefits and
responsibilities of involvement with pets, and behavior development
principals.
THE HEART-TO-HEART CONNECTION: ANIMAL COMMUNICATORS
Mammals are equipped to communicate with us, though the means are non-verbal.
How does this work?
We communicate with each other all the time by intuitive and nonverbal means.
We sense how someone else is feeling, or ‘know’ our boss is sick, or detect a
sad tone beneath the cheerful words of our spouse, or get a chill down our
spine when someone enters the room. Extending this more intentionally to our
animal companions can be joyful and healing for all concerned, and this is
what Animal Communicators do. This growing field helps pet owners make a
stronger connection with their animal companions.
Valentine’s day is a celebration of love, and who gives us the most steady and
unconditional love in our lives?
Here are some suggestions if you want to celebrate your love for your animal
companion. Great ideas to give to the animal-lovers on your list, too.
Remember the old saying, “Love me love my dog”?
GIFT SUGGESTIONS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
1.Gift your special someone with a deeper connection with their beloved animal
companion. Animal communicators such as Georgina Cyr,
http://www.geocities.com/healing_all/, and Jacquelin Smith,
http://www.jacquelinsmith.com ,
offer consultations in pet communication and healing.
2.How about a great heart-shaped dog or cat bed?
http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_22205.shtml
3.This gifts packs a double wollop. – a
Valentine toile and chenille dog bed by Companion Road. A portion from the
sale of all Companion Road items is donated to charities to assist local
animal shelters. Go here:
http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_33522.shtml
4.How about a sharp red doggy or ferret t-shirt with Xs and Os all over it?
http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_33769.shtml
5.PetCo offers a whole Valentine’s store for pets – heart-shaped catnip, bone
buddies and more!
http://www.petco.com/ProductListing_SpecialtyStores.asp?
webt=0&tab=8&c1=4461&ct1=Valentine+Store&Dept_ID=
4461&cmLink_ID=hppb0004010703
6.Give them a gift membership to the
Divine Prayer Line for Animals.
http://www.jacquelinsmith.com/prayer.html.
7.All Natural Dogs
http://www.allnaturaldogs.com/ offers vitamins, supplements, holistic
products, homeopathic remedies, and natural food for dogs.
8.Need something for a ferret or rabbit? Try here:
http://www.ferretstore.com/
9.Try the high-flying Crackler Moth for the cat-lover,
http://www.bluepet.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=83, from Blue Pet Co., UK.
10.Get a carrier pet-pocket for their small cat, dog, ferret or rabbit here:
http://store.yahoo.com/pet-gifts/carpetpoc2.html
11.Love Bites!
http://www.petcelebrations.com/ipage/31020.htm Heart-shaped doggy
biscuits.
12.Valentine’s scarves for dogs or cats:
http://www.pet-bandanas.com/valentines-bandanas.htm
13.Bake some homemade dog biscuits. Recipes here:
http://www.gurney.co.uk/pads/bone.htm
14.Canine Sweet Hearts™ available here – red-colored, heart-shaped corn and
wheat-free vanilla or Carob flavored treats.
http://www.pet-treats-online.com/index.cfm?&User_ID=71254&St=1189&St2=-69205122&St3=70971565&DS_ID=2?&DID=6&User_
ID=71254&st=1189&st2=-69205122&st3=70971565&page=detail&ObjectGroup_
Id=3&Product_Id=158
15.Make a donation to the Humane Society in the name of your loved-one or
their animal companion or yours:
http://www.hsus.org/ace/15982
This Valentine’s Day, extend your concept of love! We need all we can get.
About the Author
Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach, offer
coaching, Internet courses and ebooks for your personal and professional
development. Visit her on the web at
www.susandunn.cc and
mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE ezine.
Unique Ideas to
Celebrate Valentines Day this Year
by Heather Diodati
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Want to celebrate Valentine's Day in a different way? We've
collected a bunch of unique ideas - special ways to show how much
you care about your spouse, family members and friends you
cherish.
Heart-Felt Valentine's Meal
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Make up a batch of heart-shaped pancakes for a yummy Valentine's
breakfast or brunch. Just pour the batter in the frying pan in a
free-form heart shape and serve with strawberries and whipped
cream.
Balloon Goodies
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Insert candy surprises into balloons before inflating them - add
a folded-up Valentine's message then inflate each balloon. Tie
with a red ribbon and attach to your loved one's chair for them
to find Valentine's morning.
Family Affair
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have the children help you prepare red Jello with cinnamon hearts
mixed in, mashed potatoes colored with pink food coloring, heart-
shaped cookies and any other creative ways to present your
Valentine's Day meal.
The Gift of Time
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Give a hand-made coupon for some work you can do to free-up some
time for your spouse or parent. For example, a coupon good for
cleaning Dad's garage or for a full-house vacuuming for your
wife. How about a coupon for your best friend - you can walk her
dog or baby sit one evening.
Coupon Day
~~~~~~~~~~
Each of you can create individual notes, say 4 or 6 each, to
describe a special surprise - a back rub, a bubble bath, kisses
from head to toe, a special meal - fold up the notes and toss
them into a jar. You can take turns having fun plucking a coupon
from the jar and doing what it says.
Scavenger Hunt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can prepare this one for your spouse or for your children to
enjoy. Write up little notes about how you feel and what they
mean to you and place them around the house along with a candy
heart or other treat. Add a riddle at the end of each note about
where to find the next note. At the last note, have something
special waiting there. For example, you can be waiting for your
hubby in a candle-lit bubble bath with two glasses of wine. For
your children, then can find a teddy bear or other toy or treat.
Less Fortunate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Visit a hospital or chronic care home to pass out small Valentine
surprises to the residents. They will enjoy the care and
attention from something so unexpected.
Alone?
~~~~~~
No one special to share Valentine's Day with? Sure you have! You!
Why not pamper yourself with a candlelit bubble bath, then
prepare your favorite gourmet meal and rent the latest comedy
video. Or treat yourself to a day at the spa, or a day at the
gym with a step or aerobics class. Plan for Valentine's Day at
least a week in advance - you'll find yourself looking forward to
your special treats and your quality time with yourself, by
choice.
Picnic Fun
~~~~~~~~~~
Place a blanket on the floor near the lit fireplace with candles
on the mantle and have your Valentine's meal as a candle-lit
picnic with a bottle of your favorite bubbly.
Italian Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some soft Italian love songs on the CD player, a luscious
Fettucini Alfredo with a bottle of your favorite Italian vino,
then some fresh canoli from the pastry shop and cups of amaretto-
flavored coffee for a taste sensation - top it off with a
sensuous scented bubble bath for two
A Cereal Surprise
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sneak in love notes and chocolate kisses in your sweetheart's or
children's cereal
Notables
~~~~~~~~
Little notes in their lunch boxes, on the bathroom mirror, in his
briefcase, stuck on the car windshields, in his underwear drawer
I'm fortunate to have you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mix up a batch of fortune cookies (see
http://www.whimsies-online.com/valentine.htm
for recipe!) and
add your own little words of love
Messy but Marvelous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Make sure you wear old clothes for this one and plan this
escapade where cleanup will be easy (no carpets, please!) Make
up a batch of chocolate pudding. Feed each other and wind up
having a food fight! Ideally, this is more fun in your birthday
suits, then the pudding won't go to waste where it lands!
Guaranteed for loads of giggles between the two of you -
take a shower-for-two after this one and wash each other's
chocolate-flavored hair!
Take a Letter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Take turns writing a love letter or love poem to each other.
Read them out loud
Valentine Sharing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plan some community work - help out at the local shelter,
volunteer at your local church, work with other volunteers to
spread some caring amongst your community.
All in the Family
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spend some quality fun time with your niece or nephew or other
child in your family.
Long-Distance Caring
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Call your favorite aunt whom you haven't seen since she moved far
away, or your best friend who transferred to another country -
let them know you're thinking of them this Valentine's Day
Just For You
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you wanted that delicate pair of earrings for awhile but
kept putting off the purchase? Give yourself a special
Valentine's Day gift
Poetry In Motion
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Write him or her a poem - can't write? Try out the poem
generator on
http://www.whimsies-online.com/valentine.htm
for fun! Print out your creation and place it on your loved-one's
night table for when they awake!
About the Author
Heather Diodati, is the owner of DDesign, an on-line shop for
one-of-a-kind personalized gifts for all occasions. Sign up for
our free ezine, On A Whim, for your free time management gifts!
http://www.whimsies-online.com
Valentines Gifts
from the Heart
by Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes
One of my fondest childhood memories is of my mother helping me make a
Valentine's box to take to school. We pulled out white paste, an old shoebox,
scraps of doilies, and construction paper. There was a flurry of activity as I
cut and pasted, and imagined my box filled with homemade Valentines from
classmates and secret admirers.
My favorite teacher in the fourth grade was Mrs. Dearing. For Valentine's Day,
I wanted to make her something special. My mother had a recipe for sugar
cookies that she had made as a child. We stayed up late rolling out the dough,
long after my brothers had gone to bed. Carefully, we sprinkled the cookies
with sugar and waited for the sparkling wafers to emerge from the oven.
To this day, when I smell sugar cookies baking, I think about Valentine's Day
and that special present for my teacher.
SUGAR COOKIES
Ingredients
1/2-cup unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4-cup sugar
1 large egg
1 Tablespoon milk
1/8-teaspoon salt
1/2-teaspoon vanilla
2-cups flour
Granulated sugar for decoration
1 ceramic cookie mold (available at craft stores or from
www.cookieartexchange.com )
A plastic drinking straw
1/4 inch satin ribbon
Directions
1. In a medium sized mixing bowl, cream together the butter and the sugar.
Stir in the egg, milk, and vanilla. Mix in the flour and salt.
2. Knead the mixture into a dough. Chill for 15 minutes.
3. Use the ceramic cookie mold make a fancy Valentine cookie. Coat the mold
with cooking spray. Pour a little granulated sugar into the mold, tilt until
sugar covers the bottom, and tap out any excess. Press dough into the mold and
turn it out onto a greased baking sheet. Use a plastic drinking straw to make
a hole in the top of the cookie. Sprinkle with sugar and chill for 30 minutes.
4. Repeat the process for each cookie. (You will only need to coat the mould
with cooking spray once, but you will have to re-sugar the mould for each
cookie.)
If you don’t have a cookie mold, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the
dough to 1/4 inch thick. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make your
cookies. Use a plastic drinking straw to make a hole in the top of each
cookie. Sprinkle the tops with sugar. Place on a greased cookie sheet.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake all chilled cookies for about 10
minutes, until golden. Cool completely.
6. Tie a 9-inch piece of satin ribbon through the hole of each cookie. On a
tag, attach your special message or Valentine wish.
Instead of store bought Valentines, encourage your child to make a gift that
will fill him with pride and accomplishment.
About the Author
About the Authors: Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes are the
co-authors of the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To
check out their website that's jam packed with family ideas
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