Have you ever sensed the universe is trying to send you a message?

Yesterday, I had that experience.

On my bike ride home, I decided to stop at the coffee shop a block from my house. After sitting and relaxing for awhile, I needed to get home, and so I began walking alongside my bike, steering with one hand while precariously holding the coffee cup in the other hand (and trying hard not to spill the liquid gold down my leg!)

About halfway down the block, I suddenly felt the sharp pain of the pedal scrape my calf. Ouch!

It's certainly been a hard year for all of us. It's forced us again and again to face what we're most challenged by... whether it's uncomfortable emotions... the loss of what's important to us... deeply-held limiting beliefs... problematic behaviours within us, our loved ones or the world at large... or all of the above!

For me, one of the biggest places I've grown has been in my capacity for self care.

We all need time to pause in our days. We all long for a place where we can escape to - where ALL aspects of ourselves are welcome and there's no need to fix or change any of it.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I thought I'd share some things I've learned over the past two months - both the hard way and the easy way - about Self-Love.

Taking time throughout our day to connect to ourselves - to “love ourselves up” - is not selfish. It's deeply loving. It's actually the biggest gift we can give ourselves and others. When we show up as our best, we're able to serve and care for others in a way that's truly helpful and impactful.

We all need to ask for help at times.

There are some situations that feel too daunting, confusing, stressful or overwhelming to handle on our own. And we have tasks, projects, goals, visions and dreams which require the support of others to realize.

We can certainly ask our family, friends, neighbours and communities to help us. But there’s another source of support we can turn to, which is always available and willing to help.

Let’s face it: we all have situations in our lives that feel hard, confusing, frustrating, scary or overwhelming.

But I’ve come to rely on a simple practice that calms and focuses me instantly, and connects me to a clear desired outcome and next right step.