Clearly, there’s no cookie cutter mould for the ‘perfect’ relationship, as each and every one of us has a different idea about what the ‘deal’ is when it comes to a relationship. Our expectations, understandings, and the type of ‘arrangement’ that we’d like to make with that other person we choose to be with is very individual. There are, however, common elements that when put in to practice, can invite and create happy relationships, irrespective of what the ‘deal’ is.

There are many things that I’m grateful for when it comes to my life. One that I’d love to expand upon in this post, is all to do with those who have quenched my curiosity for water.

I certainly can’t say that I understand water, or how it behaves. But what I can say, is that I know a little bit more about the kind of water that is beneficial to drink than I did a few years ago.

Considering how crucial water is to the health of our body, mind and being ... water, as far as I'm aware, is the very first place to start when it comes to daily self-care or in more extreme instances, 'healing' any state of dis-ease.

What does 'beauty' mean? From my point-of-view it’s an ever-changing judgment that society places upon us, with the expectation of what we are meant to look like, feel like, sound like and act like. Does that sound as inhibiting to you as it does to me?

What if we changed all that? What if we demanded of ourselves TODAY, that we choose something different, so that we honestly, deeply, wholeheartedly accepted the beauty that we truly are and be. The kind of beauty that radiates from within, because from the hundreds of women that I’ve had conversations with about beauty, the one common factor that we all seem to share in regards to ‘when we feel most beautiful’ is that it’s when we feel happy and confident; and we see the beauty in others when they are radiating happiness and confidence.

I don’t know about you, but I really start to feel it if I don’t exercise for a few weeks. I become more lazy and sleep in that little bit longer, I become brilliant at conjuring up reasons why I deserve sleep-ins, my mood drops, I lack inspiration and no longer have that spring in my step or vibrant energy that I love so much. It scares the pants off me!

And I know all too well how challenging it can be to find the motivation to exercise sometimes. But one thing I have found to be true … when I move my body every day, I feel healthier and happier. It’s as simple as that.

I wholeheartedly believe that everything starts with ourselves. When we can nurture and love ourselves we can create nurturing, kind and loving environments that we desire in our lives.

When it comes to love, we hear time and time again that we must love ourselves first before we can love another, but it’s easier said than done a lot of the time. How do we put this concept in to pragmatic action?