I recently rewatched the Wizard of Oz. When I last watched it, I loved the music and the fantasy land visuals. I even enjoyed it in its original format of black and white, before it was transformed over to “technicolor”. 

But this time when I watched it I connected more to the the meanings of the most important components to being human, to have courage, a brain, a heart and the sense of home within ourselves. And the lesson to be learnt was that we think there is a “wizard” (or at least outside powers) that can give us these things, but really it is just inside ourselves and we just have to look. 

Shabby Chic is a romantic brand and I can see I balanced my heart, my brain & courage to build and sustain my business all these years. 

And then personally for me, love, romance & hearts halve always played a priority in my life. In some cases it's stronger than my brain!  But as quoted by the wizard from The Wizard of Oz “Hearts can never be practical until they can be made unbreakable." “But I still want one" said the Tin Man. 

But it’s only in recent times I have understood the important meaning of “self love.” I always thought that to be a new age indulgent thought. But I have learned that to love yourself involves gratitude for self--to be mindful to take care of ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. And be mindful to have self respect through self discipline of loving ourselves in the same way we love others.

I have often found it so much easier to love others, my children and friends thinking loving myself was vain. But I completely understand now the notion "the love we have to give is only as good as the love and respect we give ourselves."  And so as this “penny has dropped” for me I will be sure for every heart that crosses my path I will be mindful to spread some love onto myself as well as onto others.