Tranquility Workshops Blog

I imagine that many of you are starting to make preparations to celebrate Valentine’s Day.  This past week, I’ve been asking people what they tend to do to celebrate the day.  Many have admitted to doing the same “automatic pilot” routine every year:

• “I give her a card and a heart-shaped box of candy.”

• “We go out to dinner.”

• “I send her flowers.”

This year, why not try to incorporate some mindfulness into the day to make it “out of the ordinary”, and “non-routine”?  Being in the moment, with the special things you participate in on that day, can make so much difference.

Here are some ways you can use mindfulness on Valentine’s Day:

• Instead of popping into a store to pick out a card written by the folks at Hallmark, try spending some time compiling your feelings into a “love letter”.  The words and feelings come from your thoughts, heart, words and emotions.

• If you choose to buy a card, take some time reading the verses and looking at the pictures to be sure that it is meaningful and reflects your sentiments.

• Spend special time using all of your senses to be  “in the moment” with your sweetheart, instead of just going out to dinner.

• Take the time to really look at, touch and smell the roses.

• Mindfully eat the candy.

• Incorporate music into the day……and really listen to the words, feel the rhythm…tune into the vibrations…..

• Dining out at a restaurant, use all of your senses to attend to the ambiance, drinks, food, and your loved one.

• Read every word of your valentine card or love letter slowly and with your full attention.  Feel the texture of the card, look at the picture………

• Incorporate aromatherapy into the day with candles, fragrances, flowers, lotions, bubble bath…….    Special fragrances can affect your mood and make the occasion memorable.

Please feel free to share your ideas with us as well.  Valentine’s day  only comes once a year, but don’t forget that any day can be set aside to give special attention to your sweetheart.  Relationships thrive with attention.