List Your Loves

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I hosted a retreat in Florida last week and asked everyone do an exercise that I want to share with you today. 

Each person was given a journal and told to number the lines on the first few pages from 1 to their current age. On each line they were to write something they love. The older you are, the more time you’ve had to find things you love. One woman went to 100 because she loved this exercise so much. 

A list of your loves - a list of the things you love, the people you love, and the things you love to do.

By the end of the retreat they were to have full lists and at the last session I had them share some of their items with the group. 

It is amazing how hearing a list of someone’s loves is a lens into who they are. 

The answers were authentic, fun-loving, quirky, simple, happy, and I noticed everyone smiled as they shared their loves with the group. 

I hope all of you will take a few minutes this week to make a list of things you love.

Here are some samples from our group to help you get started:

  • Seeing dolphins

  • The smell of rain

  • Laughing with friends

  • Ice cold beer on a hot day

  • Sunshine

  • Trader Joes

  • Anything in miniature

  • The sound of waves

  • Clean sheets

  • The healing power of music

  • Cheesecake

  • Baby animals

  • Kayaking

  • My enthusiasm about new ideas

  • Belly laughs with friends

  • Seeing cardinals and bluebirds

  • Butterflies 

  • Watching a pelican fish

  • Art and creating something

  • The color orange

  • The laughter of a grandchild

  • Surprises

  • Chocolate 

  • My hair

  • Planting herbs and flowers

  • Freedom

  • Journaling

  • Seasons changing

  • Northern lights

  • Morning ocean walks

  • My quirky sense of humor 

  • Time in nature

  • The sun on my face

  • When it stays light longer

  • Deep conversations

Start your list today and then add to it as you notice or think of something you love. This can be on paper or in the notes app in your phone. Just keep adding things. 

There is a lot to love in life. 

Our retreat theme this year was finding inner peace and peace in our relationships during complicated times. We all came away feeling better and more hopeful than when we arrived. Peace is possible, we just have to be intentional about creating it. 

Next time you are feeling overwhelmed, lost, or unsure of who you are, make a list of what you love. 

That will help you connect to who you are and things to be grateful for. It is a practice of giving yourself a little dose of your own love.

If you want to hear more about my experience with finding self-love, I was on another podcast last week. Listen here to my 30 minute conversation with Michelle and Bayleigh on Small Changes, Big Shifts.

Being connected to you is something I love,

 
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