Life Archives - Page 3 of 6 - Twirling Tiny Sticks

It’s Valentine’s Day and it’s also the first year anniversary for Twirling Tiny Sticks blog. One year ago today I planned to post on a weekly basis as I nervously clicked the publish button on that first post. Although I write less than I planned, the year was filled with other firsts. I took part in my first craft shows and I made my first Etsy sales! My goals for this year? Yes, write more and sew more, but my biggest goal is to put myself first and love myself more. I know what you’re thinking, “Selfish!” I believe it’s the least selfish thing one can do, and what a perfect day to start doing it.

The fact is that you can’t take care of others, love others, and be good for others if you don’t care and love yourself first. Valentine’s Day is usually the opportunity to remind others how much we love them. How often do you remind yourself? I suggest taking a piece of today to do something you love, eat food you find delicious, sleep a little longer, listen to your favorite songs, wear your favorite outfit, or read nestled in a cozy nook for no other reason than simply because you love yourself. Give your energy to the things you love so that your energy will be multiplied and fall into the lives of the people you love and in turn make you a better partner, friend, mother, father, daughter, son…

The real challenge comes in making the relationship with yourself a permanently good one. That takes effort, time, and conscious attention. When that foundation blossoms you will have formed the strongest ability to give and love others because it is true that you’re only as good for others as you are for yourself.

This year I didn’t make a Valentine’s Day craft because I was busy taking care of myself but I found some of my favorite things that remind me of love.

A portrait of me drawn about nine years ago by my kind and gentle-spirited niece, Sara. It warms my heart each time I see it.

A beautiful necklace given to me by, unlike no other, Hanna, one of my favorite people and sister-in-law, of Cloud Mountain Crafts

Pink cupcakes with sprinkles made by my sister-in-law Yaneisy, who I love as my own sister and beyond.

A felt heart made by me last year, nestled in a beautiful blanket gifted to my husband by his generous and thoughtful parents, Carol and Tommy.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Twirling Tiny Sticks!

This year as Christmas neared I decided to sew holiday scarves for our dog and for pets of friends and family. It was more than likely a subconscious effort to grow closer to our own dog, Sadie, who was in my husband’s life way before I appeared. Guess what? Turns out Oprah was right, you can’t go wrong with giving people gifts for their pets. This must be because the love between a human and pet is unlike any other.

Tonight, Christmas Eve, seems like an opportune time to think about the connection between pets and their owners. It also seems like the perfect time to ponder unconditional love. It seems easy, right? We love our siblings, parents, partners, and friends; but love between humans is complicated. Yet, on a daily basis many of us have examples of true unconditional love at arm’s length. Who truly loves unconditionally? Your pet. A colleague once described how deep the grief can be for losing a pet simply because it is the only real unconditional love.

Since the twists and turns of relationships make loving unconditionally challenging for us, doesn’t it seem that we should practice it more? Today and every day let us take the time to love consciously, thinking about the words we say and the actions we take. Let us be attentive enough to always notice the small and big things, and strong enough to forgive. Let our joy show on our faces when we see loved ones (even if we see them every day) and let us protect our loved ones fiercely. Let us be more like our pets.

Check out the furry beauties below!