Thank you for making me food so I don't die, and other Valentine love from the mouths of babes

In honor of #OperationFebruary, which is meant to spread more love into the world, I thought I'd share these seriously cute Valentine cards.  Maybe some of these will spark something in my own family to write some on their own.

What I love most about these cards is the honesty.  These children tell it how it is.  They don't beat around the bush.  They haven't "learned" to squelch their feelings and emotions.  They were their hearts on their sleeves.

Enjoy these quotes, and I hope that we all can speak out truths this Valentine's Day.
http://distractify.com/fun/fails/the-most-hilariously-awkward-valentines-from-children/

Time to rally behind art by drawing a heart

And, just like that, we are off to support a local artist who has been spreading joy throughout the land.   My journey started during the month of February, when I wanted to create a vehicle to honor the positive actions of my kids and spouse within the confines of our home.   #OperationFebruary began, where we would write on heart-shaped paper, and put it in the respective member's envelope to read.

#OperationFebruary quickly moved out into the community.  It just had to, because we all can use a little more love in our lives, can't we?

This Valentine's Day, some members of our local beach community will be honoring an artist that has been creating chalk drawings along the cement sidewalk (AKA "Strand").  For the last couple of months, there's been an individual who doesn't approve of these drawings and washes them away.

Rather than give attention to the removal of art, the idea has been to celebrate the chalk artist, whose only intention has been to inspire.

Please read below what was posted on Mindful Beginnings® fan page on FaceBook, and see if you can join us!

Have you noticed all the joy that #Funism brings, via the chalk art expressions all around our beach community? "You are on the path to greatness" as you walk up the staircase where Hermosa meets Manhattan along the strand, "Not all who wander are lost" on the strand wall, or "Hug Your People" are just some of the visual play on words you may have witnessed.  

In celebration of Valentine's Day and the artist behind #Funism, I am declaring #OperationFebruary, where we continue to honor the love in our lives, and spread it even more. Funism could use more love and recognition.

Here's how we can help:

On 2/14/14, #OperationFebruary asks for you to grab your own piece of chalk. Walk, run, jog or skip down to the strand wall anywhere in Hermosa Beach, and bring your creativity.

Draw a heart on the wall, draw a heart on the strand sidewalk. Pinks, purples, blues. Yellows, reds and oranges. Pick your color. When you feel complete with your art, you can also add: #Funism or #OperationFebruary.
Do so any time of the day this 2/14/14.

Let's meet in a more formal way, with Funism supporters performing their own group operation. 22nd Street and The Strand in Hermosa at 10:30 a.m. Bring your chalk. Bring your smiles. Bring your gratitude for a kind of art that is temporary and fleeting, and the kind that saves lives when it lifts those who suffer from stress and despair. #chalkcanthurt 

If you can't make the 10:30 a.m. time, simply go down on your own at any point during the day!

See you soon!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!! 

Be a warrior of love.

I don't think there can ever be enough love in the world.  That's why there needs to be hippie warriors; those that stand tall, with their head aligned perfectly over their necks, arms held out in a "T" position, ready to hold an arrow that will target those who need love the most.

Many people are standing in line waiting for the arrow to hit them, and they may not even know it.  When it hits, they have two choices.  They can:

1)   allow the energy of the arrow to permeate throughout their bodies, nourishing every cell, which may help them heal physically and emotionally

or...

2)  resist the arrow's energy, only to find that they are depleted in every way, shape or form.

If you have the energy to give, then what's stopping you?  Our job is to share, and we can do so liberally.  It's the other person's problem if they don't accept what we have to offer.  Everyone is on their own journey in life, that's for sure.

So, go be a "hippie warrior of love."  How many arrows will you ignite into the world around you?
Oh, how I hope they are all received by those targeted.  Can you imagine what the world would look like?  I can, because I am a "hopeful optimist"!

Operation February

I haven't been feeling the love in our household these days.  Running here.  Running there.  We probably even saw a person (or two) in their underwear.

It's time for #OperationFebruary.

I cut out hearts.  I put them into a bowl, some with writing on them.  Some hearts say, "You are special to me."  Others say, "I believe in you", which is a family favorite.  Others are left blank where someone can express gratitude for an act of kindness, behavior or any other love fest they see another member commit in the course of the day.

I hung homeade, red "envelopes" marked with each family member's name.  Nothing fancy; just stapled sides, with a slot at the top for the hearts to enter their new home.  These artful wonders are taped to our dining room chandelier, so we won't have opportunity to forget that Operation February is serious business.

Each day in February, someone can help raise the love vibration in our home through these cut-out pieces of paper.  Although they're just words, they're so much more.  As we all know, sticks and stones can break bones, AND words can hurt.

#OperationFebruary aims to bring back love in our home, where it belongs.  Words of kindness.  Words that help another feel esteem and joy.  I will post back as to how we are all faring.

Care to join us this February?  It's never too late to start, because we all can use a dose of love!

Making hearts and honoring love for others.

Cut out a bunch of hearts and for the month of February write something on one of them sharing what you are grateful for (and for me it'll be about someone in the family and a particular attribute or behavior I am honoring in that moment).  Post it in the house to have a magical February!  Repeat this activity daily.

I heart this and will commit to doing it.

I imagine writing on a heart, "Thank you for walking the dog."  I may write, "I love watching you play basketball."  And, the oldie, but goodie is to see the words, "I believe in you."

If you care to partake, let me know how it goes!  I'm certain that by doing this activity, we'll all feel the love that's always there for the taking... even more!!!