Love Learn Lead February 1, 2018

If January is the month of resolutions, February is the month of love. To the chagrin of single people everywhere, for at least the first half of this month, advertisements will repetitively remind us Valentine’s Day is on it’s way. Though I am married now, I still have spent about as much of my adulthood single, and I can tell you there is no joy in having a holiday remind us of our relationship status, or lack there of.

As the years have gone by, I have begun to wish Valentine’s Day celebrated all of the loving relationships in our lives—not solely the romantic ones. So with this in mind, on the blog in February, I will be sharing things I am learning from other relationships in my life—with a few on dating and marriage throw in. Stay tuned!

Today, I am sharing my hot chocolate recipe to keep you warm on cold days, something I am learning about having good relationships, and a quote on Leadership to keep us thinking about the year ahead. Enjoy, and Happy February!

Love

A few years ago, I did a Whole30 and it forever changed the way I eat. Namely, it helped me give up processed sugar. But life without chocolate—and winters without hot chocolate—just aren’t as fun. So, I found a way to make a delicious cup of hot chocolate sans sugar, and here it is:

12 oz milk of choice (almond milk works great)

2Tbs cocoa powder

1-2 Tbs Maple Syrup (to desired sweetness)

Heat milk in a sauce pan over the stove until just lightly bubbling. While heating the milk, combine syrup and cocoa powder in a mug. Mix with a fork until it forms a paste. Then slowly stir the milk into the mug with cocoa paste, until well combined.

What comfort food or drink helps you get through the winter?

Learn

Though some people in our world are dubbed “relationship experts,” I am beginning to believe that no matter how long one lives, or how much one learns about relationships—there will never be a true expert. Relationships are hard. And the good relationships in our lives do not last without intentionality and hard work. A big part of this work, is showing up.

It could look like being there for big events (graduations, promotions, etc.), but mostly I am learning, that showing up means being there for the small ones. Having hard or even mundane conversations over coffee. Asking thoughtful questions about how a person is doing, rather than just assuming they are good. And especially putting down my phone to be fully present to the person in front of me. All these things and a few others, are teaching me that good relationships don’t happen by accident, and all involve finding ways of showing up.