Over the past month, we have been talking about self-love. In my last post, I wrote about how to truly feel like you are enough; the undeniable truth is that you are enough and you deserve love but it’s not always easy to feel that truth, so I shared some tips on how to get to that point.

I also gave you some tips for developing self-love and the opportunity to reflect on where you stand on the self-love scale using my self-love quiz. We’ve been focusing on self-love because it is so important to living a happy fulfilling life.

It can be especially tough to keep up our self-love during the holidays, despite the merry notion of the holiday season, most people find it hard to feel jolly. So many people are, actually feeling sad, downtrodden, perhaps lonely, or just uninspired. Are you challenged to feel happy with where you are at this time of year?

Today, I’d like to share an exercise with you that will certainly lift your spirits and help shift you into a space of love, joy, and openness this holiday season.

Give Back to Others Through Gratitude

It’s the end of the year. As 2021 winds down, we’re encouraged to reflect on the last 12 months and consider how our lives are different. Given the ongoing pandemic, I’m sure you can think of quite a few ways that your life has looked different this year, but I’m going to encourage you to focus on the positive changes.

Ask yourself, “What good has come from my challenges or rough spots this year (it may not be obvious at first, look deeper, it’s there I promise you! And finding it will help you shift your perspective in the most positive way:))

Next look at this question, “Am I happy with where my life is at right now?”

I also love to reflect on the people in my life: “who has impacted me? Who has been generous and kind with me, and made a difference in my life?”

Recently, I remembered an assignment my mentor gave me that was powerful and impactful – to write a thank-you note to somebody who had touched my life. I took on the assignment whole-heartedly and wrote a letter to an old friend who, back in 1999, said something that changed my life forever.

“Let’s start a business together, Sherri!” were her exact words.

And we did! That simple phrase, and the actions we took after, started me down a life-changing path that has not only taught me so much about myself but brought me endless joy and fulfillment. I wrote her a thank-you note and mailed it to her. Then I forgot about it.

About a week later I received a phone call from her. She told me what a difference my note had made in HER life that day and how grateful she was to hear from me. What a wonderful gift she gave me in calling me, and we were able to reminisce and celebrate our appreciation of each other!

Since then I’ve written many thank you notes and always felt the same joy and warmth fill my heart. I invite you to give yourself and someone else the gift of gratitude thru a note, text, phone call, or face-to-face visit…it’s such an easy, powerful way to feel good you’ll love it!

Give Back Consciously

This memory of sending a thank you note jogs another memory to mind – years ago, one of my clients was very frustrated in her marriage. Her husband didn’t seem to be emotionally invested, she was frequently angry and disappointed and secretly wondered if the marriage was about to collapse.

Instead of filing for divorce, she decided to shift her thoughts and write a love letter. She wrote about how grateful she was for all the ways he had shown up in their marriage, and she gave him the letter.

What a world of difference! After reading the letter, his normal distant behavior became friendly and connected – it was like she had a new husband! They had one of the best nights of their lives: he totally opened up, they had a great dinner together, and finally, their hearts were able to reconnect.

In my book, I emphasize that when you give from the heart without any underlying motivation, your diamond power will ignite and light you up from the inside- allowing others to see the True YOU. Giving from the heart is the best investment you can make. You will always feel expanded and blissful when you give generously, without an agenda, and you will always find the key to your sparkling radiance in the act of giving.

This week, I present a CHALLENGE to you – I invite you to give back with all your heart. Give just to give. Set aside any fears of exposing yourself or feeling vulnerable or getting rejected… trust the process, and find a way to give to someone you love.

Let me know how it goes in the comments – choose love!!!!

xoxo

Sparkling love,

PS – Giving doesn’t have to be a physical item, there are so many heartfelt ways that you can give to someone, whether that be your time, your support, your help, etc.

If you are looking for a physical gift that is also from the heart, consider giving them my book: Sexy and Sparkling After 40: 7 Steps to Revitalize your Radiance & Create Romantic Adventure in Your Life.