How I Was Able to Change My Life With Valentine's Day

Since we've all just recently celebrated Valentine's Day in our own special way, I thought I'd share how much this time of year means to me. By Katie O'Brien

4 years ago this very month my life was full of uncertainty... but also, 4 years ago I finally made a conscious decision to give up on how I thought society wanted me to live. I had the slightest glimmer of hope things could be different. I was hoping things would get better and I was hoping God had a bigger plan for me than the one I was living at that time.

I decided to let go of my 'plan' - the plan that everything had to be a certain way and had to be just perfect and I took a chance. Part of letting go and taking a chance was also saying yes when a special someone asked me to be his Valentine. Giving you a little back story, just 2 weeks before he asked me to be his Valentine I had packed up and left my old life and old relationship that went completely against my values for years. I was finally able to wake up and realize I had to do something different. The LAST thing I wanted was to jump into another relationship... but everything in my life seemed to be happening without force or trying, so with the smallest glimmer of hope I replied with "Sure, I'll be your Valentine."

Kevin (my now husband and forever Valentine) was just the stepping stone for me changing the way I was living my life. Everyone thought we were crazy for jumping into our relationship (especially after knowing how my last one ended) - but I kept my promise to myself to quiet the voices of those around me and those in 'society' and lead with my heart. I removed the judgement from others stating how we were doing it all 'wrong' and replaced it with hope that there was a bigger, better plan for me (and us) and all I needed to do was be true to myself.

Little did I know this was the beginning of a HUGE movement in my life. Looking at my life today I can't believe how much change can occur and how many blessings can come to surface in just 4 years when you're able to hold on to even the smallest bit of hope. The external blessings are of course my loving husband, my on-the-way beautiful baby girl, my supportive network of like-minded women, the close-knit relationships with my family, the abundant success in my business... but above all else the biggest blessing in my life now is how much love I hold for myself.

Over the past four years I've learned how to love myself on a daily basis and make choices that are only in my best interest. I'm still learning daily and still work at quieting the voices of society telling me I'm 'not doing it right' - but those voices have gotten much smaller and I'm forever keeping that glimmer of hope alive which allows me the opportunity to grow each and every year.

Happy Valentine's Day, ladies ~ remember to love yourself above all else, remember there is a bigger plan out there for you and remember never to lose your special glimmer of hope... no matter how small it may be at the moment.

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