Monthly Collection - February
This month, I’m sharing:
Something to listen to
A podcast that reminds us that our differences are part of what makes us beautiful, and that listening to our inner voice can gently guide us forward.
Relational: Dr. Orna Gurlanik: Struggling to Communicate with Your Partner?
Personal: Brianna Wiest: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself When You Don’t Know What You Want
Something to read
There’s a well-loved copy of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz that lives in my office. The other day, I found myself flipping through its dog-eared pages, revisiting words that stayed with me years ago. One passage stood out as a gentle reminder that a simple shift in perspective can soften our struggles and help us show up for others with more ease. These are the words that resonated:
Question: What if you are trying to live your life with impeccability of the word, and you have a child who […] grows up to not be impeccable with her word? Of course I want my child to be impeccable. What would you do about this?
don Miguel: Because I love my children, I want them to be whatever they are going to be.
Response: Whether or not they are happy?
don Miguel: Their happiness is not up to me; it is up to them. It is not my love that will make them happy, it is their love that will make them happy.
~~
When we release the need for others to be a certain way, something softens within us and between us. Loving people as they are creates space for them to show up more fully and more honestly. In a culture shaped by performance and constant appraisal, offering someone a place to be themselves without judgment is rare. It is also one of the simplest and most genuine forms of love we can give.
Something to nourish
nour·ish [nur-ish, nuhr-]
verb (used with object)
1.to sustain with food or nutriment; supply with what is necessary for life, health, and growth.
eat your veggies
balance all of your macronutrients (fat, protein and carbs)
sleep well
move for 20-30 minutes each day
drink a lot of water
2.to cherish, foster, keep alive, etc.
what is sacred to you? Not sure…. start with slowing down your breath
3.to strengthen, build up, or promote
To strengthen is not only to build the physical body. It is also about growing resilience, expanding mental and emotional capacity, and tending to your whole self. 💛
“The greatest gift that you can give yourself is a little bit of your own attention.”
Something to try
The “I Love Me” list
This list is a powerful self-love tool, inviting you to name what you appreciate about yourself and to remember the compliments that have stayed with you. It offers a way to shift attention toward your strengths and the qualities that make you who you are, whether that’s your kindness, creativity, intelligence, or resilience. Over time, it becomes a reminder of your growth, your effort, and your inherent worth.
Key Elements of a Self-Love List with examples:
Strengths & Traits: I am resilient, empathetic, intelligent, and strong. I like to be friendly when I meet a stranger. I am open-minded.
Achievements: I graduated, I am financially responsible, I learned to set boundaries. I tried a new hairstyle or I took some time for myself.
Physical Features: I love my smile, my hair, my strength. I love painting my nails.
Actions & Talents: I am a good friend, I make delicious meals, I am creative.
How to Use an "I Love Me" List:
Keep a Journal: Write down 100 reasons you love yourself. Or - start with any number and then add one thing daily. Repetition is totally OK.
Document Compliments: Keep a list of nice things others have said about you. Track this daily and return the favour by complimenting others.
Celebrate Your Uniqueness: Acknowledge your quirks and "unique" qualities. For example: I love practicing handstands or walking barefoot.
This practice shifts focus from external validation to internal worthiness.
