Dear Friends,
Happy Valentine's Day!
In our normal 60 minute Stop Drop and Dance classes, there is an optional 15 minutes afterwards where we do a little core work and stretch. The song that we have been using for one of our abdominal routines since the beginning of January is called, "I Love Myself" by Ciara and Macklemore, and Ciara starts out her song by saying:
"The best thing I could ever do for me, is love myself."
What a perfect reminder to all of us on this Valentine's Day today. You don't need to search hard or far to find the most important love: self-love. And you don't need to wait or expect anyone else to show you that love.
Create love yourself.
When We Were Young
Think back to what Valentine's Day was like when you were in elementary school. Do you remember being excited to make or pick out Valentine's cards to give to each of your classmates? I remember being so careful writing everybody's name the night before, and not being able to wait to pass out Valentine's on my classmates' desks!
Self-love is giving and receiving.
My neighbor, Fran, showers my family every holiday with surprise gift baskets. Sure enough, on Friday, she dropped off Valentine goody bags for the girls and bought a flower bouquet for me. Such a thoughtful gift!
When we give, of course we make others happy, but the side benefit is we also make ourselves feel good too! This week, surprise a friend, a family member, a neighbor, a teacher, or even a stranger with a small gesture such as a note, a basket, or a treat!
Guess what my girls' teachers are getting for Valentine's Day?
Now It's Your Turn!
This is a challenging one for some of you who give easily to others, but put yourself as last priority... Now it's your turn to give something to yourself!
Let me repeat: where's your gift to yourself?
In the next week or two, I want you to do something that is a little out of the ordinary, just because you deserve a little rest and relaxation, or a little pampering, or splurging, or whatever it is that you normally deprive yourself. Here are 12 ideas to spark your imagination:
- Splurge and go out to get a pedicure or a massage
- Enjoy a bath bomb and a face mask at home
- Go to the mall and treat yourself to something you have been eyeing
- Buy flowers for yourself the next time you go grocery shopping
- Make a reservation and eat out at your favorite restaurant
- Start a new book, podcast, or binge-watch a series
- Sign up for a class to learn something new
- Take a day off work and go on a hike outdoors
- Start journaling your daily gratitudes or highlights of each day
- Try a new meditation, yoga, or health app
- Meet up and have lunch with a friend you haven't seen in a long time
- Plan a mini vacation that you can look forward to in the next few months
It's a Celebration!
This past Saturday, thank you so much for supporting our Stop Drop and VOTE fundraiser for Gina Daly's campaign to be Marin County's Supervisor in the June 7th election! Despite literally getting attacked by a chihuahua the day before while going door-to-door, Gina showed up determined to dance the entire class up front, and she sure did!!! Who run the world?? GIRLS!
Thank you for raising $1980!
This past Thursday during class, one of our in-person students, Debby Strenkofsky, came up to dance next to me, and at the end of the song, she shared that the next day was going to be her 63rd birthday. We celebrate birthdays regularly, and Debby could have told me anytime the week or days beforehand, so that we could plan a whole playlist and invite her friends... but instead she wanted to keep it a secret (as many students choose to do - which is absolutely ok!).
However, on that day, something made her share that it was her birthday. Something special gave her that nudge to NOT keep it a secret. And we are so happy she shared, because nothing makes us happier in class then celebrating one another. Debby got "positively pressured" to take center stage, and she was so courageous to LET US acknowledge her. Happiest birthday Debby!
Self-love is allowing yourself to be SEEN and CELEBRATED.
"I found the problem.
It starts with me.
I figured out now what I want.
Got what I need.
I'm never gonna fall,
Cuz I love myself.
And I can have it all,
Cuz I love myself."
- Ciara
Happy Valentine's Day friends!
You have all the love you need within yourself.
You are enough, and more.
(PS... the mask mandate is being lifted on Tuesday! Hope to see you in class Tuesday or Thursday for Kim Stuart's birthday, and then I will be gone for a week from Saturday, February 19th to the 26th. Classes will resume Tuesday, March 1st!)
Love,
Grace
