Another Valentines day is upon us and as we spread the love this month, how about starting right at home with your self? I want to talk about loving your self.

I am sure that you have encountered loads of people who both professionally and personally tend to put the needs of others before themselves. For many people it is an integral aspect of their work whereas some people learn that way of being during their younger years.

The variety of carers in our society learn how to minimise taking notice of their own  feelings in order to take care of their clients and patients. People that tend to drive themselves into fatigue, depression or even illness include individuals such as hospital doctors working ridiculously long hours, high ranking city executives responding to their bosses, mothers to their young children, teachers within schools and colleges, managers of large companies with lots of employees.

With these kinds of people, because of their beliefs about what their role entails, they have a habit of putting the needs of the company or the client first. There can then come a point where these kind of people do not even notice their own feelings.

Where is the love? It is being expended everywhere else. I would go as far as to say that this is potentially dangerous.

This kind of attitude to oneself produces conscious and unconscious attempts to take care of the self in short term ways or ways that are detrimental to our own well-being, including smoking or drinking alcohol or eating too much or the wrong things. These things then replace the good, direct and long-term ways of taking care of ourselves. People often try to give themselves quick treats, but in a way that can erode your self-esteem or your ability to attract love as you find that you cannot go without it, and also these things do not create natural good feelings most of the time.

So then what happens is that the teacher leaves the profession, the executive gets burnt out early, the nurse goes sick with constant illness, the doctor chooses to work in a private clinic with regular hours and pleasant surroundings. All of these may well be valid, but if they are not the individual’s choice and they are forced decisions, it really does nothing for your sense of self. Without a good sense of self, it is hard to attract love.

So we want to spread some love.

Putting oneself first actually means that we are then of course in a far better position to look after others. If we are fit and well and happy, we have plenty spare for others. We can give generously without minding. Putting time and energy into loving your self is one of the most wonderful investments that you can make. So, we want to start getting you to notice you.

What do you like about you? What is there to love about you?

Is there someone in your life that you truly admire or think a lot of? How about someone that you really love? What is it about them that you like or love so much? Stop and have a think about them for a moment. Really think about the reason you like them so much.

I am sure that some of you may have responded with that old chestnut “I just do.” Now whether you are consciously aware of it or not, there are more reasons than that. I am positive that you could come up with lists and lists of amazing qualities that you find likeable in others. Liking someone involves identifying and enjoying certain qualities that you appreciate and think highly of.

This is why we end up liking people that we are unlikely to actually meet but are in the public eye. You can of course respect someone without liking them; liking them is to enjoy them.

This is very similar to the process of liking and loving oneself. Liking and loving comes from having a true sense of self-acceptance; we do not have to be perfect model citizens. Your liking for yourself will increase once you know more about how you function and learning to accept yourself as you are, even if you do have issues or foibles every now and then.

Now have a think about popular public figures. Very often one of the things that continues to draw people to them is not their accomplishments but the fact that they have frailties and foibles. This is what so many of the popular glossy magazines focus on, showing the regular lives and problems of the famous and one of the reasons that people seem to be so drawn to reality television programmes such as “Big Brother.” It is as if the message is “look, they are just like us.” We see how human other people really are.

Therefore, it is as if this process of being drawn to what makes us human and real shows us to be fallible at times. If this works between us and other people, surely it can also work inside of ourselves. Actually, it can be a relief to allow ourselves to accept any limitations that we may think we have and even become fond of them, even proud, as long as they are not interfering too much with our lives.

Enjoying being your self this Valentines day:

That’s right, as of this very Valentines day, you are starting to enjoy being your self, this is where the love is. What are the things that you do enjoy about the way you are? At the end of the day, when taking stock of your day, you can also take some time to ask your self what you most loved most about you today.

Do include everything, even if it was a small, supposedly non-important thing. Perhaps you wore a certain handkerchief (you must have been bought one that is in a drawer somewhere that your great auntie bought you several Christmas’s ago!) because it matched a new shirt. Perhaps it was something that you did, an enjoyable or beneficial interaction you had, or perhaps it was even something that you chose not to do or something that you thought. There are so many things to love about the way you have been today.

To really get your love for your self flowing  this Valentines day, go ahead and make an official list on a piece of paper that has the heading ‘I love myself because…’ Then make another list that begins ‘I love … about myself.’ Of course, you then have to add to those lists. Make a long loving list of things that can show you all the wonderful things you love about your self.

So think of the people you like and love the most, and the people who like and love you the most. If they like you or love you, dare to trust that you are actually well worth liking and well worth loving and of course you are worth giving some love to, and then dare to like and love your self as they do. Go on, I dare you! By the way, you do not have to only allow that love on your self on Valentines day, do it all the time and notice what an amazingly loving Valentines day you have next year.

The time has come to stress your mind to offer fabulous gift for some one, who capture the corner of your heart.

At this moment find the right gift can be very difficult, especially when you are running short of time or budget limitations. Especially when you are working as sr.executive in a Company and you are busy during the working days.

Now, it is essential to do your planning for any event that takes place especially on the occasion of a Valentine day.

Come February, on first Sunday morning you must have to ring-up your sweetheart to meet at one place, because, it is essential to know from your dearest one’s choice about the celebration of valentine day then you come to know that your dearest one would like to go outside in the coming days.

Accordingly you can plan to enjoy valentine at outskirt city. It is crucial to take the decision mutually, because your spouse or sweetheart must enjoy the place of her choice with you. To enjoy valentine day outskirts city with your dearest one these are the basic tips, which may help you to find the perfect valentine for your sweetheart.

1. Take the tourist guidebook, note down the places where you find good location alongwth the motels or lake resort or favorite beach where you can find natural pond, mountain or seashore. Fixedup the location and book your hotel or motel according to your budget in the motels or lake resort. It will be advisable to book your place in advance.

2. Before, buying any gift, you must be aware about the choice of your dear one. Spare one day (preferably one week ago) in the market to purchase gift of your choice, which makes the difference for your dearest one and she really enjoys. You must be aware, from where you have to purchase special gift for your spouse? Select your gift shop or perfect place to purchase some antique gift, which his spouse first choice.

3. Spend at least half hour to look at all gift items (Add some sponsor gift shop link here) of your choice, select one or two items of your choices.

4. Next day, prepare a list of your luggage like shaving kit, perfumes, clothes, walkman, cassettes, toothbrush etc. and put it in a separate place. Pack picnic luggage in the previous night, don’t forget any thing, also bring camera, binocular hat also. If you are planning to go by your own car than it will be prefer to give it for proper service. To enjoy favorite music is an added advantage, especially when you go long drive along with your spouse.

5. Imagine your tour and valentine day romance and plan out accordingly and go for a long drive with your dearest one and have a lunch at good restaurant located near by highway side. While taking lunch at noon, use some very special words to express your love for your partner. Prefer to go at hilly area where you can enjoy Sunset too. This will be going to be one of the memorable events for you. If you are alone on that spot, you can express your love by many ways that you know better…

6. When you are on the way to your motel or hotel, discuss about the selection of the restaurant along with the shopping or prepare your self to give surprises to your spouse. Select the best restaurant and menu of her choice with candlelights. On the dinner table, offer roses along with so much candy. Once dinner get completed offer ice cream of her choice.

7. During the dinner or in the night, if you want to offer ring as surprise valentine gift to your love one, write a special love note on it before offering her.

8. After dinner, go for a walk in or around the motel or hotel’s garden or if time permits go to the market and discuss about the future plan.

9. When your partner going to take a bath, offer new lingerie’s to her. Also write a message ‘I love you’ on the front mirror. If your partner permits use bath in the bathtub with her. It gives extra ordinary enjoyment at the end of the day.

10. Spray your favorite perfume on the bed with leaves of red rose; stick a happy Valentine’s Day hangers on wall, light with heart shaped candles with preferable music. Touch you spouse lips and ears, kiss on her lips with emotions.

At the end of the day, you and your spouse have enjoyed a great day because of advance planning and get closer with emotional touches.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century.

That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn’t like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn’t the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.

Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families.

As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened?

He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn’t going to support that law!

Did I mention that I was a priest?

One of my favourite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies — secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.

One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary!

Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death.

I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.

One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up.

She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, “Love from your Valentine”.

I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine’s Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D.

Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship.

And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh — because they know that love can’t be beaten!

If you’re looking for a unique gift to give your partner for Valentine’s Day, consider planning a romantic weekend away.

It doesn’t have to be overly fancy or super expensive, as it’s the time together that’s important, not the cost of the gift.

Here are a few creative ideas that won’t cost the earth.

Look up your closest State Park. Most State Parks have very reasonably-priced accommodation available, and you can usually choose from several “comfort” levels.

My personal favorite is the family cabin. A bit rustic but with all the comforts of home like a bathroom with a shower, and a kitchen.

Then there’s the rugged cabin…great for outdoors types. These may not have running water or a kitchen. Cooking is strictly outdoors!

If you’re not into ‘roughing it’ there’s usually a lodge where you can stay in a regular hotel room if your sweetie isn’t the rugged type. The advantage of staying in the lodge is that

there’s usually a great room with a huge fireplace or something equally cozy… perfect for snuggling up with your Valentine!

If those options don’t appeal to you, another inexpensive weekend getaway idea is to stay at a local bed and breakfast – even if it’s in the same town you live in! It can be a welcome night away, spending precious time together.

Combine a night away from home with a romantic dinner out and your Valentine will fall in love with you all over again!

If you have a bit more money to spend, why not rent a limo, pick up your Valentine and surprise him or her with a trip to the airport for a quick flight somewhere to stay the night?

Depending on your budget, you could travel across the country or across the world.

If you’re short on cash, your partner will definitely appreciate a quiet night at home. Treat him/her to a romantic candlelit dinner, a warm bath complete with candles and wine, and then a nice, gentle massage.

You could accomplish this type of Valentine’s Day treat for less than $50, and your Valentine will appreciate the effort you put in, and will remember it for many years to come.

The power of touch is widely demonstrated throughout the animal kingdom, and among humans. Touching is a universal way of providing comfort to those who need it. It makes sense, then, that one of the most intimate gifts you can get for your significant other is a massage. It involves physical contact, and they will become more at ease as the stress and hustle-bustle of modern life starts to melt away.

While some of the evidence is contrary, massages may have more positive effects than just reducing stress. Increased circulation, lymphatic stimulation, reduced pain and easing the symptoms of arthritis are just a few examples. In other words, you will also be giving your loved one the gift of improved health.

At the same time, a body massage requires a certain touch to be effective. Massage training courses are available in a variety of styles like Swedish, hot stone, deep tissue, Hawaiian, Thai or shiatsu. Each requires a unique level of proficiency, so be sure you know what you’re doing before attempting them. When you learn how to give that special someone a massage you will be able to do it any time. It’s easy enough to learn the basic techniques. And although you shouldn’t expect it, your mate just may be kind enough to return the favor.

At first glance, a massage is really nothing more than a glorified muscle rub. But to elevate the mundane to something out of the ordinary, pay attention to the atmosphere you are creating – soft lighting, relaxing music and candles all add to the ambience.

To really get away from it all, a professional massage is an excellent choice. To be even more romantic, go together and enjoy a couple’s massage.

Plenty of massage-related products are available, as well: massage chairs, rollers, seat covers, wands, and so on. Feel free to get any of these for your significant other, but don’t forget that a hands on body massage is something special, too.

Countless people associate gift baskets with Christmas, Easter, housewarming or job promotions, and rightfully so. Gift baskets are wonderful gifts for these celebrations and many others. Gift baskets also make a wonderful gift for Valentine’s Day. With so many gift baskets available now for specialty gift giving, it’s no wonder people are starting to realize that Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday for gift baskets.

If ever there were a “bigger is better” holiday, it would have to be Valentine’s Day. A dozen red roses are nice, they’re gone in a matter of days. For this reason alone, Valentine’s Day gift baskets are a much better choice.

Most Valentine’s Day gift baskets are available in several sizes and can be sent with balloons, teddy bears, flowers, or just about any other expression of love. Best of all, Valentine’s Day gift baskets aren’t just limited to chocolates, although chocolate is one of the most popular products for Valentine’s Day.

From luxurious perfumes and spa products to gourmet foods and candies, there is no limit to the options available when choosing a Valentine’s Day gift basket. Many gift basket retailers take great care to put together Valentine’s day gift baskets that are filled with products designed to make this very special holiday an unforgettable one.

Take it from me, gourmet food gift baskets with flowers are an exceptional gift to send to your partner at his or her workplace. Flowers always score points on the “love scale”, particularly in front of someone’s coworkers, but including a chocolate or gourmet food gift basket will be something the entire office can appreciate. There is no better way to turn them from envious to appreciative, and it will bring everybody by your loved one’s desk to stop and smell the roses.

Looking for Valentine’s day gift ideas for loved ones should not be stressful. It should be a pleasurable time that we enjoy while we show appreciation and affection to those we love. Money should never get in the way of that.

Many times we fall prey to the pressures of society and feel like we have to keep up with the Jones’ when most times, the best gifts that come from the heart are imaginative, thoughtful and low cost. In fact, there are many ways you can show your love for someone on valentine’s day by getting them the perfect gift that doesn’t cost any money at all.

Here’s a few ideas:

1. Love Coupons. nothing says I Love You more than a coupon book full of redeemable favors for your partner. You can have a lot of fun by creating ones that are specific to your relationship. If you have kids you can even get them in on it, and make a day out of it.

2. Romantic Sleepover. Get a babysitter (if you have kids), and have your own picnic and/or sleepover in the living room around the fireplace. Let yourself be free of all inhibitions and don’t worry about the silliness of it. It’ll be fun.

3. 100 Reasons. Create a long list of 100 Reasons That I Love You. Wrap it nicely, and/or create it in a crafty booklet, photo album, or other unique idea.

4. Love Notes. Leave love notes all around the house where you’ll know your partner will come across them throughout the day. In their wallet or purse, in the bathroom, under the pillow, etc. The love notes could even be love coupons!

5. New Vows. If you’re married, surprise your partner with a new set of vows over a nice candlelight dinner at home.

6. Window Shopping. You can go window shopping and discuss all your future dreams together. Maybe even go to some open houses to look at a couple dream homes during the day.

7. Spa Treatment Yes, this one can be free too! If you prepare a candlelit bath, your partner’s favorite music, and add a sensual massage, you have all the makings of a romantic spa treatment right in the comfort of your own home!

Let’s face it, getting a gift for your loved one always has at least a little bit of pressure to it, but getting a Valentine’s day for that someone special doesn’t have to be stressful. Lavish gifts are nice but not always genuinely appreciated.  However, you are going to hit a home run 100% of the time with gifts that come from the heart, peppered with thought, imagination, and a little personalization sprinkled on top.

Here’s 5 ideas for either a man or a woman that you can use to create the perfect Valentine’s day gift for your loved one this season. You are sure to hit the mark with or without purchased items in this list:

1. Kill procrastination. No, I’m not talking about running out and getting a card from Hallmark a week early this year. What I mean is get something done that your loved one has been nagging you to do for-ev-er! Trust me, everyone has an unresolved task that their loved one would LOVE them to finish or get started on.

Make that happen, and then declare it in a note inside your Valentine’s Day card. Your time, but most importantly, your acknowledgment of something that’s important to them, is your gift and that will be greatly appreciated!

2. Reunite. Spread the love beyond yourselves as a couple. Why not contact an old friend or family member that has been out of touch for a while. You would not believe the emotional charge one can get from a reunion with someone who meant a lot on the past.  Even if it is impossible to have them meet in person, a phone call or a Skype video session would still be spectacular!

3. Chef Valentine. Think cooking a meal for your loved one as a valentine’s day gift is kinda boring? It doesn’t have to be.  What about whipping up the exact meal that you had on your first dinner together. The taste and smells of past memories are extremely powerful, even if that special memory is tequila and chicken wings. It’s not about the stereotypical dinner for two, it’s about reconnecting by reliving a fond memory. If you also went to a movie on that special night, rent it. What music was playing? play it. You get the idea.

4. Archive Memories. This one works well for those couples who have already been together for a while. Photos and video often end up in albums and on film backups that never actually get pulled out again. Why not pic a special memory and display them in a special way like a calendar, or even something you you make yourself. If it’s video, maybe have a DVD made with a special Valentine’s day cover. This one works really well in combination with number 3.

5. The Write Gift! If you’re looking for a gift that costs you absolutely nothing, then writing a love letter or poem to express your love and affection is one of the best gifts you can give. If you have writing skills, it’s a no-brainer, but if you don’t that’s ok! You could simply research some poetry ideas online (or at the library) or an even better idea would be to not worry about prose and just speak from the heart. That’s often the best way to your loved one’s heart!

On February 14th, every year, lovers wear their heart on their sleeve and show their feelings for one another through celebration. This is the day of love and affection that we call Valentine’s Day.

As with every other holiday, there is a story behind the reason for celebrating on Valentine’s Day and showering each other with flowers, love, and chocolate.

One tale dates way back to the 3rd century B.C., thousands of years ago, there was a saint named Valentine who lived as a priest in the kingdom of Saint Claudius II. This king had the notion that strong family bonds and loving relationships weaken his soldiers, so in an attempt to have a stronger military, marriage was outlawed and strictly forbidden for young men.

Saint Valentine, who spent most of his life helping to tie the bonds of love between couples in the kingdom, disagreed with the king and disobeyed his orders by secretly continuing to coordinate marriages secretly.

Eventually, the king caught wind of what Saint Valentine was doing and sentenced him to death on, you guessed it, February 14th. Ever since his death, that day in February has been celebrated in honor of love and the spirit of Saint Valentine.

Another version of the Saint Valentine story tells a tale of the man being held captive who was in love with his jailer’s daughter.  The day that he was to be put to death is still the same, February 14th, but in this version, it was the a love letter that he wrote to his lover on the day of his death that sparked the Valentine’s day celebration.

The love letter was said to have been signed Your Valentine, and started the tradition of sharing love letters and gifts to express the love and affection that one had for another.

Obviously, it’s extremely difficult to know the real story behind Saint Valentine, but the important part that holds true in every version is that he was an idol of love and stood strong to fight for it.

Remember that it is the tradition of love that is celebrated on Valentine’s day every year and although material things play a big part of the celebration in our society, it is the true message of love that matters the most.