To anyone in a loving relationship, those two words bring thoughts of flowers, candy, a nice dinner and romance. But what if you're single? What a different meaning those two words take on. Thoughts of loneliness, depression and staying home under the covers might cross your mind instead.

I know the feelings that can come up around Valentine's Day as a single person. I've been there and it can be difficult. It seems like everyone else is getting roses or making dinner plans or gushing about a wonderful spouse. It is important to be aware that our feelings are intensified on a holiday. And just as holidays come and go, so do the feelings associated with them. Remember that it helps to keep our emotions in check and our minds clear.

Paramahansa Yogananda stated so eloquently, “When the mind is calm, how quickly, how smoothly, how beautifully you will perceive everything!”

My single friends, I ask you to calm your mind and be open to receive the following thoughts concerning all kinds of love, especially self love. My hope is that it will get you through Valentine's Day and many days after with a sense of peace and serenity.

Society gives us all types of messages concerning love and most of them make us feel as if we must be in a committed relationship to fully embrace and appreciate it. When speaking of romantic love, this is true. But how quickly we forget all other forms of adoration and passion when caught up in the endless search for romance.

Love can be expressed in your heart and soul when you are passionate about your creativity, service work, hobbies, friendships and spirituality. If you have children, pets or elderly relatives, your love can be expressed in caring for them and spending time with them. Expressing your love for God and receiving God's love through prayer and meditation is glorious to God and to you as a human reflection of His spirit. Fortifying your soul with self-directed love is incredibly rewarding. But how exactly do we practice self love on a daily basis?

Self love can be an overwhelming process if we have the blocks of loneliness and isolation in the way. Part of feeling real love is feeling connected to others and to God. It is the ego that makes us feel disconnected.

So the first suggestion for eliminating loneliness is to use whatever method feels right to shed the ego. This is a lifelong process so don't think that it will happen overnight. Basically, any practice which makes one aware of how our spiritual essence is eternal and how we are all interconnected will help us to become aware of our true nature.

These methods can include, but are not limited to yoga, meditation, prayer, studying the works of great spiritual masters, and energy work. The attempt to break through the chains of ego is a journey unlike any other. If you undertake it seriously, you will be amazed at how deeply you are able to experience love of many kinds and how your thought processes will expand and evolve.

Lastly, be kind to yourself. Try to remember that as human beings we are fallible. Sometimes we won't do everything perfectly or expected results may take longer than we think. It's OK. It helps to reflect on the fact that there is a divine plan for each one of us and we are not really the ones running the show.

Accepting divine order in your life will make the difficult times easier to bear. Know that God is always looking out for your highest good and that all you have to do is ask for His direction. So begin your journey toward self love and appreciation today and experience the peace and joy that it brings. Many Blessings.