Finding The Love You Need

Having love in our life is a wonderful feeling! As we near Valentine's Day, love becomes a focal point for many people. Cupid's love arrow does not exactly find its way to everyone's heart. Some don't want love, others won't allow it and then there are those that don't love themselves enough to even think about loving someone else.

For some, Valentine's Day is dreaded, for others it's joyous, and for some, they simply don't acknowledge it because it's become too commercialized.

If it brings some comfort to you, love is a basic human need. According to the famous American psychologist Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, it's normal and OK to want to have love in your life. It's also normal, when experiencing an absence of love, to feel lonely, anxious and even depressed.

This year why not make Valentines Day a day for loving and celebrating yourself. Finding love starts with loving you. So smile,take a look inside yourself and discover all there is to love.

As you start loving yourself, love will enter your life. If you are ready to begin your journey to finding the love you need, here are 10 conversations to have with yourself.
I'm confident, these 10 "conversations" about love, will you provide you with inner peace and send you off in a new direction to finding the love you need and deserve.

1. Do I love and respect myself?
You cannot love anyone unless you love and respect yourself and the other person. Stop and ask yourself "What do I love about myself, What do I respect about myself?" and "What do I love and respect about the other person?"

2. Do I have loving thoughts?
Love begins with our thoughts. We become what we think about. Loving thoughts create loving experiences and loving relationships.

3. Am I capable of giving?
If you want to receive love, you have to be able to give it! To love is to give of yourself freely and unconditionally. Happy, lifelong, loving relationship always focus on what you can give- not what you can take.

4. Are we friends? To find a true love, you must first be and find a true friend. You must love someone for who they are. Remember, friendship is the soil in which the seeds of love grow. Build a true friendship and your relationship will last a lifetime.

5. Can I reach out and touch?
Touch is one of the most powerful expressions of love. It breaks down barriers and forms bonding and positive relationships. Touch opens your heart to give and receive love.

6. Can I let go?
Even in a loving relationship, people need their own space. Love means forgiveness, letting go of our fears, prejudices, egos and past hurts.

7. Can I communicate openly?
To love someone is to communicate with them openly and honestly. Tell the people you love that you love and appreciate them. Never be afraid to say "I Love you." There is magic and power in these 3 simple words.

8. Can I commit?
If you want to have love, you must be committed to it, and that commitment must be reflected in your thoughts and actions. Commitment means never giving up-quitting is never an option. In loving, lasting relationships commitment is mutual.

9. Is there Passion?
Passion ignites love and keeps it alive. Lasting passion does not come through physical attraction alone; it comes from deep commitment, enthusiasm, interest, excitement, spontaneity and surprises! Allow love into your life by living each day with passion.

10. Can I Trust?
Trust is essential in all loving relationships. Without trust one becomes suspicious, anxious and fearful and the other person feels trapped and emotionally suffocated. You cannot love someone completely unless you trust them completely.

"Love is always bestowed as a gift-freely, willingly, and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; we love to love." Leo Buscaglia