Many people are afraid to open their heart to love.

Perhaps they’ve experienced a broken heart in the past, or maybe the idea of being emotionally vulnerable makes it difficult to open their heart to love in the first place. Believe it or not, there are ways to develop the confidence you need to be open to love in all its many forms.

When we face challenges in life, we can put them into perspective and see a bigger picture; there is a reason or a lesson behind everything. All experiences in life teach us how to find our true self. All experiences in life teach us how to love, accept, trust and forgive ourselves. All experiences in life teach us how to open our hearts to love.

When we experience hurt or face disappointments in relationships, it is easy to close down in order to avoid the pain of being hurt again. However, it is possible to learn how to move on and open our heart again with ease.

Here are 10 ways to open your heart to love. I practice these in my own life and want to share them with you.

  1. Do what you love and love what you do

What delights you?

Take time to do something that you love. Give yourself that special time to connect with your authentic self. If you’re not sure what it is that makes your heart sing, try different things until you discover what makes you happy.

Examples of this include:

  • Listening to music
  • Going for a walk in nature
  • Reading a good book
  • Writing in your journal
  • Writing poetry or composing a song
  • Cooking a delicious meal
  • Talking to friends
  • Working in your garden
  • Going to the beach
  • Going for a bike ride
  • The list is endless – what do YOU love to do?
  1. Do something for someone else without expectations

What kind deed would you like to share with someone else without any expectations?

It doesn’t have to be a big, grand action. It can be a small thing done with love. When we do something for someone else that makes them feel happy and loved, we feel happy and loved. Making someone else happy without placing any expectations on them will keep your heart glowing, dancing and expanding your heart open to love.

  1. Think happy thoughts

What thoughts make you smile?

Like attracts like. Love attracts love. Hate attracts hate.

When we think happy thoughts, happiness will show up in your life. Thoughts are energy and so are you. Be aware of what you are thinking because you will receive whatever you think about. If you want happiness, think happy thoughts. If you want love, think loving thoughts. If you want peace, think peaceful thoughts. When you think happy thoughts, your heart will fill with happiness and you will be ready to open your heart to love.

  1. Say “yes” to life

What happens when you embrace life? What is holding you back from embracing life?

When a new opportunity presents itself to you, what is your response? Do you embrace the possibility of new friends, relationships, jobs, whatever it is that you want in life? Life is growth; as long as you live, you will continue to be presented with opportunities to grow.

Take risks, get out of your comfort zone, stretch your “love” muscles and say “yes” to life!

  1. See the best in every person, situation, opportunity and moment

What opportunities are being presented to you today? What lesson is life teaching you right now?

When you see the best in everyone and everything, you will see the best in yourself. When that happens, you are open to accept what life brings, including being opening to love.

  1. Practice meditation, deep breathing and reflection

What helps you be at peace?

When we learn how to control our breathing and thoughts through meditation, prayer or deep contemplation, we learn how to connect with our true self. We are spiritual beings living in human bodies. We each have an inner voice that speaks the truth. When learn how to still our mind and connect with who we truly are, we experience love, peace and healing. Your true nature is love. Love is who you truly are.

  1. Be grateful for everything

What are you grateful for today?

Start living with an attitude of gratitude. You will be amazed at how blessed you truly are! Take time to keep a list of your blessings (perhaps in a journal). Be thankful for every person, every experience, every situation, every challenge that is here to help you grow. The more you count your blessings, the more love will grow in your heart.

  1. Be present NOW

Where are your thoughts right now?

Some of us spend too much time dwelling in the past. Others spend all their time worrying about the future. When you spend most of your time in the past or future, you are not living in the present. In reality, now is all that truly exists. Every moment of our lives is now. Let go of the past. Let go of worrying about the future. Live in the now and let love open your heart to new possibilities.

  1. Be loving

Are you expressing love to yourself and others?

Fill your heart with love by loving yourself. Practice love by looking in a mirror and saying “I love you. You are incredible.” When you practice love, trust, acceptance and forgiveness toward yourself, you will open your heart to love. Give unconditional love to yourself. Feel love and be love.

  1. Be authentically yourself

Who are you, really?

Discover who you really are by spending time with yourself. You are the creator of your own world. You can do or be anything you want. The key is to tap into that power that is within you already. Discover the loving you that has a beautiful heart that is filled with so much love, joy and peace. You inspire others. You are beautiful. You are love. Be yourself and be love. When you become love, you become a magnet of love.

Allow love to flow into your heart. Fill your heart with love and share it with others who need it. You are incredible! The world needs your light and your love. Know that you are love, beautiful soul.

If you are ready to open your heart to more love – and joy – and laughter – and abundance – and ease – and support – there’s still time to enroll in my Align & Amplify Coaching program. This limited-time program is a rare opportunity for you to work with me in a small group (7 people) setting. Starting May 9, 2018, we will meet twice a month for 90 minutes of mindshifting, learning, healing and transformation. Click here to learn more

Are you ready to Unleash your most Authentic Self?