Stir with Catherine

Savor the Story, Stir the Soul

“Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?”

Love is a word that carries so many meanings, and it can be felt in countless ways. Before I talk about a moment where I’ve felt loved, I always start with the foundation: loving myself first. Self-love is the grounding force that shapes how I receive love from the world. When I honor myself, I’m able to recognize love in its purest, simplest forms.

To me, love begins with understanding what the word truly means. Love can be soft or powerful, quiet or loud. It can show up in a person’s voice, in a gentle gesture, or even in the way the world moves around you. Love isn’t limited to romance or relationships—it’s a feeling that can rise from within or flow toward you from the smallest corners of life.

There is a beauty to love that depends entirely on the person experiencing it. What feels like love to one person may look different to another, and that’s what makes it so magical. Love is personal. It’s shaped by our stories, our hopes, and the way we see the world. Sometimes love is a warm hug, and sometimes it’s simply the peace that settles in your chest when you know you’re safe.

One of the most beautiful examples of love for me is found in nature. Just looking at a flower bloom can feel like love. The way a petal slowly opens, the way color unfolds into the world—it’s a reminder that growth takes time, and beauty doesn’t rush. That quiet moment of noticing something so simple can feel like the universe whispering, “You’re cared for.”

I’ve also felt loved while walking in the park or along the beach. There’s something about the rhythm of your footsteps, the breeze brushing your skin, and the sound of water or leaves moving around you. Those moments remind me that love can be found in stillness, in presence, in simply being alive and connected to the world around you.

Another moment where I’ve felt deeply loved is waking up in the morning to the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. It’s such a small thing, but it carries warmth, comfort, and a sense of being held. That scent fills the air like a hug, reminding me that love can be tasted, smelled, and experienced through the senses.

All of these moments—flowers blooming, peaceful walks, warm morning scents—are reminders that love doesn’t always come from people. Sometimes it comes from life itself. When you love yourself first, you become more open to noticing these gentle gifts that surround you every day.

So when I think about a positive example of feeling loved, I think about the world showing me love in quiet, unexpected ways. I think about the beauty in simple things and the way they make my heart feel full. Love is everywhere when you choose to see it, and the more you love yourself, the more clearly it appears.


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