I have some great news – I am in love. But it’s not what you think. I am actually in love with myself which is the most important relationship I will ever have.

I don’t mean the kind of self love that’s arrogant, selfish, narcissistic or conceited but rather that I respect myself. I hold myself in high regard, and I honour myself, my needs and feelings. I recognise that I am a very special person and I deserve the best. It’s taken me many years of self growth work to come to this point. Don’t get me wrong, I still need to keep at it but it feels wonderful.

When you truly realise what you deserve you really can walk away from anything.

Knowing how to love yourself is extremely important. This self love is at the very core of our wellbeing, joy, self-empowerment, and our ability to create and enjoy the kind of life we want. You simply cannot enjoy happiness and life if you are not at peace with yourself.

On this Valentines day whether you are married, in a relationship or single I would encourage you to learn to love yourself for the wonderful and valuable person you are right now. Not tomorrow, or next week but to start right now …

Here are some tools I have found incredibly useful on my own personal journey and I hope you find them useful too:

Love Yourself – by Louise L Hay

Self Esteem Affirmations – Louise L Hay

I want to leave you with one of my favourite verses on love from 1^st Corinthians 13: 4-13. I ask only one favour and that is that you read it mindfully and think about the words. Ask yourself first and foremost do I treat myself like this? and then, do I treat my loved ones like this?

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease, where there are tongues, they will be stilled, where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”