I do small things with great love.

My love is boundless and I let it shine through in even the smallest, everyday activities.

Even the little things in life are important.

When I do them with love, it takes them out of the realm of the trivial and places them in a place that matters.

When I clean my house, I do it with love, knowing that a clean environment contributes to the health and happiness of my loved ones.

An uncluttered house also reduces family stress, so I know I am helping to keep my family stress-free simply by cleaning.

When I make a meal, I cook with love and challenge myself to make it both nutritious and appealing.

When my family sits down to dinner with glee, I know that I’ve made a small difference in their lives.

Helping my small child pick up his toys gives me a chance to teach him skills that will be important in his life.

I cannot even count the number of important conversations that come up with my daughter when I help her with her homework!

I listen to my spouse with love and support.

Just being there brings a closeness that keeps our love strong.

When I do my tasks at work, I know that even though they may seem unimportant, they are valuable in the big picture.

So even little things are important when done with purpose and love!

Today, I see the simple things of my life in a different light and vow to discover the benefits of doing them joyfully.

What benefits can a change in attitude have for you?

How can you show your love in some of your everyday tasks?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

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My commitment to my loved ones is building forever roots.

My highest priority is for those I love.

Showing them my love in all that I do and say is a positive force that brings lasting happiness to us all.

I show my commitment to my family even in my everyday, routine activities.

When I cook a meal, I do it with love.

Not only do I foster good nutrition in my choices, but I also put special touches on it to let them know I care.

Little things like pancakes in the shape of Mickey Mouse or heart-shaped cakes bring more fun and love into our life!

When I work, I know that I am doing it not only for myself, but for my family in order to provide the things we need and want.

This gives me motivation and patience to persevere even when work may be irritating.

When I am at home with my family, I make time for each and every person.

This lets them know how special and loved they are.

They know that, no matter what, I’ll always be there for them.

The way I treat my loved ones nurtures and supports them.

I purposely build their confidence in themselves and avoid ever saying anything that berates them.

I respect them and their thoughts and ideas.

As a result, my spouse is happy and my children are growing into confident, joyful adults, making the same commitment to nurture their loved ones as well. It’s a never-ending cycle of love!

Today, I plan to spend some time with each member of my family and let my love shine through in my thoughts, words, and actions.

How can you show your love to your family in your everyday activities?

How have you included time in your schedule for family activities?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

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I embrace my love and I keep it constant.

Because my love adds joy and meaning to my life, I embrace it and keep it constant.

I do not allow silly arguments to question our foundation.

I openly communicate with my partner about my thoughts, feelings, and frustrations.

I let go of the need to hurt my spouse or to prove myself right and, instead, focus on simply expressing how the situation made me feel.

I always aim for understanding, not revenge.

I recognize that there are always at least two points of view in any conflict, and I take the time to listen to the other side.

I have let go of the need to have the last word and I am satisfied if we both feel that we have been heard, even if we haven’t yet reached an amicable solution.

I make it a point to affirm my partner’s value.

I also show that I am trustworthy by who I choose to confide in when we are at odds.

I choose to avoid gossip and, instead, focus on achieving peace through positive solutions.

I let the little things go.

Life is far more important than the way we squeeze the toothpaste tube or where we throw our socks.

I invest in our relationship by allowing my partner to be quirky and human, just like me!

What is your goal when you are discussing issues with your partner?

How do you allow your partner to feel heard when you are in conflict?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

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How to Love Unconditionally

In order to build a solid foundation in any relationship, whether it’s a marriage, friendship or a relationship with a sibling or child, you must learn to love unconditionally without limits or judgment. 

Loving someone unconditionally can be hard to do and goes against the grain you were probably taught in today’s Western society.

Society tells you to get even or get revenge.

However, to love unconditionally requires forgiveness and letting go of the wrongs.

So How Do You Love Unconditionally?

What’s required to show someone unconditional love when you’re in a relationship?

Being there physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, through thick and thin, no matter what may happen is unconditional love.

Physically: Being “there” for someone physically means just what the word implies.

You’re there for them in person, standing by their side, listening to them, or talking with them so they’re not alone.

This may be at three in the afternoon, or three in the morning!

Emotionally: When you’re with someone emotionally, you’re offering your support by allowing them to honestly and openly express their feeling.

Supporting someone emotionally with unconditional love also means that you’re there selflessly to help them work through their feelings.

The goal is for the person to rise above the negative emotions and turn them into positive ones. You’re the shoulder to cry on!

Mentally: Supporting a loved one mentally means that you help them think through their actions, motives, and desires.

You help them do this by finding out what’s going on inside.

To support someone mentally requires you to help your loved one process their thoughts through to all possible outcomes.

Spiritually: Spiritually supporting a loved one means you pray for and with them and help them grow in all aspects of their life – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Often spiritual support is given without a person being aware, through prayer.

Unconditional love does not mean, however, giving into every whim or desire.

Often people confuse unconditional love with spoiling.

Giving into a person’s every want or desire when it isn’t appropriate can actually harm their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well being.

For example, giving into your kid’s demands for junk food may make them happy today, but it isn’t a good source of nourishment in the long run.

Letting Go

True love is shown when you try to help another become a better person and unconditional love is shown when you still love them even if they refuse to change.

Many times it’s necessary to “let go” of a loved one, while still loving them unconditionally, because they refuse to take the necessary steps to improve.

An example of this would be an alcoholic or drug addict.

You still love the person, but when they refuse to work at overcoming their addiction or don’t care about themselves or who they’re hurting, you must let go.

Sometimes this means, letting them spiral down until they hit rock bottom.

Often you get hurt in the process because you love them and don’t want to see them go down this road, so loving unconditionally also means that you’ll be there for them when they’re ready to try again.

Love isn’t an emotion or feeling – it’s a choice.

This is especially true with unconditional love.

In relationships, you show unconditional love by overlooking petty mistakes and forgoing judgment and grudges.

Unconditional love requires self-sacrifice and forgiveness on your part and it’s through unconditional love that those you care about will change for the better.

How important is love in your life?

How are you showing love to those that matter most in your life?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

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Showing Appreciation to Those You Love with Something Homemade

While we’re all familiar with the phrase “It’s the thought that counts,” nothing says it more than a homemade gift from a loved one.

After all, anyone can buy something from a store.

Where the real trick comes in is actually taking the time to think up a special gift, gathering the supplies, and crafting it out of your own time, energy and talents.

Small, thoughtful gifts, while usually less flashy than diamonds, are often cherished more than the most precious of gems.

Here are 10 of the top ways to show appreciation to your loved one with something homemade:

1. Bake something.

Call up Grandma and get that delicious red velvet cake recipe you’ve wanted for so long.

Besides, what could be more romantic than fighting over who gets to lick the bowl and the spoon?

Not only will it give you a chance to catch up with Granny, but it will also show your loved ones that you care enough to take some time out of your busy schedule to whip up some fantastic eats.

2. Create a card.

Remember making cards in 5th grade?

Grab a sheet of construction paper, some Popsicle sticks, and a few of those fancy hole-punchers, and go to town.

Who knows, maybe you’ll uncover a hidden talent!

3. Cook a homemade dinner.

There are thousands of great recipes online for dinners that will wow any loved one.

Even if you aren’t a great chef and have some trouble when it comes to pots, pans, and open flames, just go with something simple.

4. Make a coupon book.

This is always a hit with your partner.

Fill the coupon book with massages, a night away from the kids, or even a week of taking care of the other person’s chores.

Make it personal, honor the coupons without complaining, and don’t put an expiration date on them.

5. Make a slide show.

Whip out your old pictures and make a slide show from “then till now.”

Set it to your favorite music and let it scroll through some of the highlights of your relationship.

If it’s for your partner, remember what it was like before kids, when the kids left the house, before grandkids or whatever stage of life you want to remember.

Just sit back in each other’s arms and let the pictures and music envelope the both of you for a while.

6. Recreate your first date.

If you went to a fancy restaurant, recreate the experience at home.

Dim the lights, put on the same music, and fix the same meal.

If you drove somewhere, pack a picnic style dinner, go back, and enjoy the experience all over again.

Whatever you did that first time, do it again and remember where you began and how far you’ve come.

7. Make chocolate covered fruit.

Pick a fruit. Dip it in chocolate. Allow it to cool. Indulge. Simple, right?

8. Make homemade jewelry.

Whether it’s a necklace made from triangle shaped pieces of wallpaper wrapped into bead shapes, or rings made from polished stones, handmade jewelry is always a hit with family and friends.

9. Make a CD.

Remember mixed tapes when you were a teenager?

Technology has advanced a bit since then, so why not create a CD that holds all the songs that have meant something to you and your friends since you’ve known each other.

It will remind you of old times and bring back memories of the past.

These are great as gentle reminders of why you love them so much.

10. Create a scavenger hunt for your partner.

Start with a trail of rose petals from the front door to a location of your choice.

From there use a post-it-note to give them a second clue.

The next one can be written on the inside of a chocolate wrapper.

Send them all over town if you must and have them meet you somewhere special.

There are thousands of things you can do to show appreciation to those you love.

The best thing to remember is to keep it from the heart.

No matter what you make, or how well you do it, your loved ones will appreciate it because it’s coming from you.

Follow some of these tips and you’ll be well on your way to coming up with your own ideas for creating cherished homemade gifts.

How do you show your loved ones that you value them?

When was the last time you did something for them?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!