To you, with love.

You're probably not too surprised that Valentine's Day was one of my favorite holidays growing up.

I'm not sure what I loved more: making homemade valentines for the class (having a Mom who's a first grade teacher and an artist doesn't hurt!) or getting a rare free pass on sugary sweets n treats.

And even if today is a "Hallmark holiday", I love love.

To spread the love today and beyond, I'm sharing my SEED playlist, the 1st of 4 playlists (one from each growth phase) from my Outgrow the Grind women's circle with you.

The 49 songs* in this 3-hour playlist will help you access who you were before the world told you who you "should" be.

Play it when you need a kind reminder of what you 🩵 love about yourself.

*Even if you've heard this playlist before, do revisit it because I'm always adding new songs!

And, for another dose of self-love, below is Wild Geese by Mary Oliver.

I shared it in my workshop a couple of weeks ago and folks appreciated the reminder to "let the soft animal of their body love what it loves."

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

With 🩷 love and gratitude for you,

Stacy

PS. Here's a pic of my favorite flower in a bouquet I received today from my Valentine. Not sure what it is with the ruffly purple petals and the fuzzy yellow center - is it just me or does it look like the lovechild of a Colorado Columbine and a Passionflower!? 💜

After working as a florist on Valentine's Day for many years, there's nothing I love more than creative bouquets!