Every single year, we take a glimpse on social media and see our streams filled with a complete variety of statuses on Valentine’s Day. They range from extremely happy to very sad. Fortunately, for us, we’ve been able to share the past nine together. While we usually avoid presents (since we go so crazy on our birthday and Christmas), we’re not shy about enjoying a really nice dinner together. Last year we enjoyed a meal at celebrity chef Scott Conant’s The Ponte in Los Angeles. (I just learned that is is permanently closed.) It was both romantic and delicious. This year, tonight, we’re going to Gabrielle Restaurant, here in New Orleans. We’re looking forward to it.
Whether you have someone to spend the night with, and regardless if you do or don’t have plans, we want you to take a moment to value the most important person in your life… YOU!
Most people think that I’m some extremely arrogant guy who thinks he is the absolute best and surely better than everyone else. That isn’t the case. I’m extremely hard on myself and for most of the past decade, Alana has asked me to work on loving myself. This is probably rooted somewhat in her background in philosophy, but she claims that you can’t love others unless you love yourself.
I think that we live in such a high-strung, competitive society that we’re often beating ourselves up for many things. That might include not making enough money, not being as fit as we think we should be or not getting the recognition that we want. The options are endless. As a result, we rarely express enough gratitude and that doesn’t just mean onto others. We rarely thank ourselves enough. We have a tendency to avoid praising ourselves. We might post a status on social media about how we succeeded doing this or that, but on the inside we’re still beating ourselves up.
Even if you have a Valentine to spend the day with, it doesn’t hurt to have two if the second one if yourself. Show yourself some love. Treat yourself to something special. That could be a deadlift workout, if you’re like me. It could also be a black and white milkshake, if you’re like me. Love yourself. Be your own Valentine.
Stay hungry and fit!
(Photo is from Springfield, New Zealand, circa… a long time ago!)
Such a lovely post, well done! Love to you both!
It’s true, you have to love yourself before you can love others……………Love you guys!!!!
I’ll buy you that black ‘n’ white shake next time we see you – lotsa love to you, Chris …and to the lovely girl you create your universe with.