In our last post, A New Chapter with Benny and Jarry, we announced just that… a new chapter with Benny and Jarry (aka Barry and Jenny lol). Going forward, we will write on character, love, unity and excellence as it relates to living and working and serving and playing our lives away; whether as educators, entrepreneurs, emerging leaders or anyone looking to get more out of life by giving more to the lives of themselves and others. But first, let us introduce ourselves for this next chapter.
Jenny Dearing speaks to love in action. She brings talent, experience and learning around love, 
trauma and care. With a passion for Child and Youth Care and Addictions, and a background in same, she connects, and memorably so. Her work spans children and youth care with addictions, personal and senior care, respite work, and business leadership; delivering on all. Jenny is a Certified Virtues Project™ Facilitator, with professional training in child and youth care with addictions support and home support services. With certification in ASIST Suicide First Aid, Autism Awareness and Understanding, Trauma Information Care and Child and Youth Care Practice, Jenny brings it, with zeal. On top of all that, she loves singing, and is an accomplished multi-media artist … and brings both to her work. Artistry is a path to love and healing. Jenny knows it. She believes in it. She drives it.
Barry Lewis Green moves the needle on character leadership and unity building with joyful ferocity and thoughtful zeal. Barry helps leaders forge strong, united cultures at school, work, business and community. Joe Calloway says, “I had the distinct pleasure of being in an audience in Montreal with Barry Lewis Green on the stage. Quite simply, Barry absolutely captivated us with his talent, his message, and his heart. The feeling of unity that Barry created in the room that day was extraordinary.” With 39 years in education and leadership training and development … and work in the private, public and community sectors across Canada… and as a speaker, educator, master facilitator, coach, writer, singer, dancer, and cartoonist, Barry stokes the fire on together strong.
This week, Jenny offers up…
The reality of self-love is very important to our living our best lives. Our body is our home; we simply can’t live in it peacefully if we continue to destroy it. We need to be openly accepting our flaws because the reality is at the end of the day, the only person you truly have is yourself. And we need to be stronger for ourselves (Alyssa Lexine. Thought catalog. Aug 2016).
We need to be kinder to ourselves, allowing room for growth and error. Giving ourselves permission to mess up and make mistakes without chastising the person that matters the most; You, your own self.
We are beings of light and love. We so often freely love others, but we hardly take the time to recognize it for ourselves.
We are so quick to say when someone doesn’t love us the way we wish to be loved. Why are we waiting 
for them to step up and love us? When in all reality we have the power to do it on our own. We get to set our own standards on how we deserve to be loved, and by doing so we don’t have to accept anything less from others or ourselves.
Now to start this journey of falling completely in love with ourselves; realizing the importance of self-love is the first step to bettering your life. Here are just a few tips to get you started.
First and foremost, define your own beauty. Love yourself now by first accepting yourself the way you are. Change your focus to the thing that is most important. Start with one small thing about yourself and decide to love it. You don’t need to be perfect, but it’s uniquely you. Maybe begin with your eyes because you have seen so many beautiful things, while enduring all the tears you have cried.
Next, change your self-talk. That little voice in your head that drags you down needs to be changed. You wouldn’t speak that way to someone you love, so what makes it okay to say it to yourself? Replace that negative self-talk with something uplifting. When you make a mistake, try an encouraging phrase like, “It’s ok! I’ll try again.”
Also, don’t forget to pamper yourself. When your feet get wet, go home and put dry socks on. Be more aware of your physical condition and do things to comfort yourself. Warm up the water before washing your hands. Sit down when you are tired.
These are small ways to let yourself know that your comfort and well- being are important (Wendy G, Brookhaven, April 2017).
Don’t forget to spoil yourself regularly. Have a bath, do your nails, put on a face mask, wear your sexy underwear for yourself, or take yourself on a date. Act as if you are completely in love with yourself. Speak, eat, drink, dress and treat yourself as if you were your most loving fan, best friend, and lover all at once. Finally, take things lightly. Don’t be too serious. Make sure to laugh and have lots of fun. Even if you just fake it in the beginning, you will reap benefits. Fake it till you make it. (Lea, Life Coach, Feb 2015).
In the end (and the beginning, and throughout), love matters. Love directed to others matters. Love directed to ourselves matters. Going forward, I will be sharing thoughts on perspectives on the who, what, why, when and how of practicing the strength that is Love.
Peace, passion, prosperity, and a whole bunch of Love
Benny and Jarry
Peace, passion and prosperity…