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Happy Valentine’s Day, a 24-hour period where love is abundant and when men do their very best to show their women they cannot live without them.

This day is also about heart and the true sense of having one. You take and make time for your family members and friends, yet do you create a space in the day just for you? If yes, then you may be in the minority.

Perhaps you feel there isn’t enough time to languish upon yourself or that it’s folly to be self-indulging. But for a moment, just for a moment, imagine how you would feel or what it would be like to take a few minutes—or longer—to be alone with just you and your thoughts. What came up for you? What immediately came to my mind was the image of me luxuriating in a tub of suds and bubbles, surrounded by lit candles and music playing softly in the background. 

Do I take the time for myself in this way?  No, not in the tub; however, in other ways, yes, I do.

On this day of love, take time out for yourself first before all others. I promise that if you do, your Valentine’s Day will be like no other.

From my heart to yours,

Dream On!
PeggyLee

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
~Buddha

Want To Reprint this article? You may do so as long as you leave it intact and include this author information: 
Peggy Lee Hanson, personal transition guide and mentor, is expert at compassionately helping those suffering loss of any proportion, especially through unemployment. Using proven strategies and support, she teaches how to move quickly and easily through current or impending life-changing moments so that you can have the life you are meant -- and deserve -- to live. 
PeggyLee is a Speaker, Best-selling author on Amazon.com, Certified Dream Coach® & Group Leader®, Trained True Purpose Coach®, and CEO and Founder of MyDreamArchitect.com, a subsidiary of Personal Transition Guidance, LLC. Also, Peggy Lee is co-facilitator and co-owner of the Coaches Circle Mastermind groups and is a regular columnist for the online community of DreamUniversity.com. She is a member of the International Coach Federation and Toastmasters International.
Follow her at PeggyLeeHanson on Twitter and Facebook. You may also subscribe to her blog and newsletter.

_Government monitoring of the Internet. My boyfriend is a pony. Keeping small engines primed and working. My fun family vacation. Five hundred billion galaxies. Snowflakes.

These were just a few of the topics heard at a youth speaker showcase hosted by the local Toastmasters’ club, which I am a member of. Parents, siblings, and a few members of the club also attended to hear the kids ranging from ages 11 to 17 talk on subjects that were fun, fascinating, and fact-filled.

The speakers had to put up with camera flashes, baby cryings, guests going in and out of the room through squeaky loud doors, yet showed grace and poise in not missing a beat of their speeches. How many of us adults would be able to say the same, much less be able to stand up in front a group of nearly all strangers talking about what stirs our emotions?

Also part of the showcase were two debate teams. The first group discussed the pros and cons of government getting involved with fully monitoring the Internet. Arguments were made using mini-topics such as pornography to email, basically censoring and the First Amendment to the Constitution, freedom of speech.

The second group weighed and debated the issue of fast-food regulation; whether or not it is the company’s responsibility to limit their unhealthy menus or the patron’s culpability in eating a well-balanced diet.

After each of the debaters gave their opinion for or against the topic, the groups fielded questions from the audience, handling them beautifully. Clearly these young people did their research by the responses given.

The highlight for the audience and the young toasters was a visit by a professional speaker, also a Toastmaster and member of my club. He gave us a glimpse of his signature speeches displaying several speaking secrets and techniques. It was an all-around day of learning through fun.

My kids are all grown up, so it was good to attend an event to remind me how dedicated and passionate youth can be on topics that interest them and ultimately, perhaps, end up being a career as adults.

How about you? Are you continuing on with or working in a passion you had as a child?

Dream On!
PeggyLee

Each person must live their life as a model for others.
~Rosa Parks

_Want To Reprint this article? You may do so as long as you leave it intact and include this author information: 
Peggy Lee Hanson, personal transition guide and mentor, is expert at compassionately helping those suffering loss of any proportion, especially through unemployment. Using proven strategies and support, she teaches how to move quickly and easily through current or impending life-changing moments so that you can have the life you are meant -- and deserve -- to live. 
PeggyLee is a Speaker, Best-selling author on Amazon.com, Certified Dream Coach® & Group Leader®, Trained True Purpose Coach®, and CEO and Founder of MyDreamArchitect.com, a subsidiary of Personal Transition Guidance, LLC. Also, Peggy Lee is co-facilitator and co-owner of the Coaches Circle Mastermind groups and is a regular columnist for the online community of DreamUniversity.com. She is a member of the International Coach Federation and Toastmasters International.
Follow her at PeggyLeeHanson on Twitter and Facebook. You may also subscribe to her blog and newsletter.