20 Feb I Love You. I Am Listening.
We spend so much of our time giving—giving to our businesses, giving to our teams, giving to our families.
In the rush to meet demands, to reach goals, to make sure everything runs smoothly, we often forget to turn that love and attention inward.
Sarah Blondin, one of my favorite meditation teachers, speaks to this so beautifully.
In her talk and meditation, “I Love You. I Am Listening,” she reminds us of something we often overlook: the importance of listening to ourselves with the same tenderness we offer to those around us.
I remember when I first started saying this to myself,
It was almost as if I felt a rupture in my heart,
As if I had finally connected some missing link,
As if I was brought directly back down to earth.
And with it came a flood of tenderness and sorrow and joy.
When we lose touch with ourselves, we disconnect from the very source of our energy, creativity, and strength.
But there is a way back—a way to reconnect, to replenish, to come home to ourselves.
It’s as simple as whispering, “I love you. I am listening.”
Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs, Families, and Teams
As entrepreneurs, we are the heartbeat of our businesses. But if our hearts are weary, if our inner voices are neglected, we show up depleted, distracted, and distant.
The practice of saying “I love you. I am listening” isn’t just about self-love; it’s about grounding ourselves so we can show up more fully for our families, our teams, and our work.
Sarah shares,
It’s really just an attitude, a mental state… that recognizes how precious we are, how precious our life is.
When we honor ourselves in this way, we create space for clarity, for presence, and for genuine connection—with ourselves and with others.
Bringing This Practice to Life
- Leading with Love and Presence:
Before walking into a meeting or making a big decision, pause.
Close your eyes, place your hands over your heart, and say softly, “I love you. I am listening.”
Let the words echo inside.
This tiny act grounds you, bringing your mind down to the level of your heart, quieting the noise, and allowing you to lead from a place of compassion and wisdom. - Being There for Your Team:
Your team looks to you not just for guidance but for emotional steadiness.
When you model self-awareness and self-love, you give them permission to do the same.
Imagine starting a meeting by inviting everyone to take a deep breath, to check in with themselves.
Imagine the trust, the understanding, the human connection this would build.
Sarah says,
Loving ourselves like this is like filling our own glass. And any other love we receive is just extra after this.
When you lead with love, it changes everything.
- Showing Up for Your Family:
At the end of a busy day, it’s easy to feel scattered, to be physically present but mentally elsewhere.
But when you take a moment to reconnect with yourself first, you create the capacity to be fully present for those you love
Sarah’s words remind us,
We love our children in this way… But rarely do we show up to love ourselves in this way.
- Finding Strength in Tenderness:
Challenges will always come. But when we can face them with a heart that is loved and heard, we find a different kind of strength—a strength rooted in tenderness.
By practicing “I love you. I am listening,” we learn to hold space for all of it: the fears, the doubts, the joys, the dreams.
We lay our lives down here at the foot of our hearts… and open ourselves to the source of our love, the source of our joy.
Step-by-Step Guide: Practicing “I Love You. I Am Listening”
- Find a Quiet Moment:
Carve out a few minutes just for you. Whether it’s in your office before a meeting, in the car before you head home, or at night before bed—choose a time when you won’t be interrupted. - Place Your Hands on Your Heart:
Close your eyes and gently place your hands over your heart. Feel its rhythm. Let your breath slow down, feeling each inhale and exhale. “I like to push a little bit so that my hand can feel the rhythm of my heartbeat… the drum living within my chest.” - Whisper the Words:
Quietly, lovingly, say to yourself, “I love you. I am listening.” Let the words settle. Repeat them slowly, allowing whatever needs to arise to do so. - Hold Space for Your Feelings:
Whatever comes up—joy, sorrow, numbness, gratitude—let it be. You don’t need to fix anything. Just listen. “And let whatever arises come to the surface of you without blocking or resisting.” - Carry It Forward:
As you go about your day, carry this practice with you. Whisper it to yourself when things get tough, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, or even in moments of celebration. It’s a reminder that you are worthy of love and attention, just as you are.
I love you. I am listening.
If you’re ready to lead with more love, more presence, and more authenticity, I invite you to set up a discovery call for entrepreneur coaching.
Let’s explore how this practice can transform the way you lead and live.
Wishing you all the very best always,
Female Founders Mentorship Circle
Are you tired of feeling like you’ve created a job for yourself instead of building a thriving business?
Do you dream of achieving the freedom and flexibility that comes with being your own boss while also juggling personal and family commitments?
RECOMMENDED WORKSHEET
This worksheet is a companion to the practice, helping you integrate “I love you. I am listening” into your daily life.
RECOMMENDED PODCAST
The Live Awake podcast helps bring you back to your grounded center through reflection and guided meditation.
