First Month .....How Are We Doing?

28 February 2012

The first month in our commitment to LOV should be tucked into our records in some way! Mine are jotted on my calendar and entered in a special digital journal I created to keep myself accountable.

You see, like you, I am constantly "doing" acts of kindness for those around me. Without even thinking, I am reaching out to others in need. LOV has nudged me to be more focused about what I am doing and just why I am doing it.

This task is really more difficult than I first realized. Why is that, I ask myself? Why do I have a harder time focusing on my needs as a woman? Why do I hesitate to make time "just for me" in my monthly schedule?

I have no answer today. Only the desire to ask the question and seek an answer. I trust as time moves me forward, the answer will become clearer to me.

Make time for you!

LOV,

Mary

21 February 2012

Today, a gentle snowfall has brightened the world around me! It is so very beautiful. This world is so filled with beauty- scenes and people and items - delighting the senses, especially our sight. I just love the freshness a new layer of snow brings, transforming my world into a winter wonderland.

The encouragement I have received from women near and far understanding LOV which will help women of all ages to love themselves has been amazing! A concern has been voiced not about the "doing for self" or "reaching out to another woman" but related the documentation of these two monthly events.

Recording our "waning and waxing" need not be complicated. Simply jotting the letters LOV on a calendar with a name and event will suffix. The important realization I have discovered is the commitment to acting in loving ways and jotting down monthly what you did.

I find that I do many things that after the fact could be considered LOV activity. What I have a harder time accomplishing is the actual planning out and completing something special both for me and for my female friends. The focus of deciding to act in LOVing ways is what is important.

This month I have not yet treated myself to something special yet. However, I did make time to shop for "honeymoon" attire with a girlfriend who entered into a marriage on Valentine's Day. What fun we had!

Although it may have been fun to take photographs of this outing, I simply wrote on my calendar a note about going. I have begun an online journal where I will record my outings in more detail and reflect on just how I felt about the experience. A photo would have been a fine way of recording this LOV experience. I know I will remember it for many years.

Remember, Ladies of Velvet is not for other people. LOV is for you. Each of us gets to decide the ways to express love to self and to others. The task to accomplish is not a huge one. Simply attempting to really learn lessons of LOV is what I am hoping to have each of us do.

Be thoughtful. Whatever you decide to do for yourself or for another woman, do it with intention and kindness. Each month, plan something special. Enjoy the planning! Then make some sort of record that your plan was completed.

LOV,

Mary

One Hundred for One Year

Greetings Ladies of Velvet!

Today we begin a journey together with the hope that in one year the LOV we have for ourselves will have increased and we will have stepped closer to our personal goals.

Our lives are touched by many duties and distractions pulling us away from taking time.....making time for ourselves. By making a commitment to LOV and following the steps below, we are moving toward a healthier understanding of our ourselves as women.

Step One - Make time each month "to do" something which is edifying to yourself as a woman.

Step Two - Make the time each month "to do" something for another woman.

Step Three - Make the time to keep a record of these experiences (by writing or photographing) for accountability to yourself each month and so that these experiences can be reflected upon at a later date.

Please share LOV with others you encounter and drop me a line to let me know how your journey is progressing.

Each week I will post to this site. I love to write, it's the remembering how to get into edit the blog that has been my challenge.

Challenges are important to our growth and I am grateful for this chance to move forward with positiveness anticipating each morning opening a new day filled with opportunities for us to LOV.

Thanks for joining me on this journey!

LOV,
Mary