Why “I Love You” Isn’t Enough: The Transformative Power of Adding “Because”

A Heartfelt Reflection for the Holiday Season

As the year 2025 draws to a close and we prepare to welcome 2026, I’ve been reflecting on those three little words we often say without much thought: “I love you.”

When we’re young, these words flow freely – to family, friends, even our pets (because let’s be honest, our furry companions absolutely deserve them). But as we grow older, something shifts. We become more thoughtful, more deliberate. We begin to question: Do I truly love this person? What does that even mean?

I believe we do love – just in different capacities and depths. And during this season of gratitude and connection, I’ve realized something powerful: “I love you” becomes infinitely more meaningful when followed by “because…”

Why Your “Because” Matters More Than You Think

One of my first HappyLope envelopes – I’m no expert painter, I just enjoy it a lot.

In our fast-paced world, we’ve reduced love to a casual sign-off. But what if we took a moment to deepen those connections? What if we explained why someone makes our heart beat a little faster, our soul a little brighter?

Here’s what I’ve discovered about adding “because” to “I love you”. These are my actual thoughts when I’m talking to a person, writing them a letter or email or just thinking about them with the radio off driving in silence. If you know me, you know which of these applies to you (some more than others).

ReasonWhy It Matters
You make me feel so appreciatedRecognition fuels our sense of worth in ways we often underestimate
You help me, constantlyConsistent support builds the foundation of lasting relationships
You support my goals and dreamsTrue love cheers for your growth, even when it means you might outgrow them
You are a good human beingCharacter matters more than charm when the years add up
You’re humble and caring without an audienceAuthentic kindness reveals true character
You keep calm in tough timesEmotional stability creates safety in relationships
You clearly want me to succeedSelfless support separates casual connections from meaningful bonds
You’re productive, motivated and inspiringGrowth-oriented people lift everyone around them
You share positivity that makes me feel goodJoy is contagious, and we become like those we spend time with

The Ripple Effect of Specific Love

When we articulate why we love someone, something magical happens. It’s not just about making them feel special (though it does that beautifully). It’s about training our own hearts to see the goodness in others.

This practice has changed how I move through the world. I find myself noticing more – the small kindnesses, the quiet strengths, the everyday graces that make people remarkable. And with each observation, my capacity to love deepens.

Your Challenge This Holiday Season

As we transition from 2025 to 2026, I invite you to try something simple but profound:

The next time you say “I love you,” add your “because.”

Start small. Maybe it’s to your partner: “I love you because you always know when I need quiet space.” Or to a friend: “I love you because you remember the little things that matter to me.” Even to your pet: “I love you because you greet me like I’m the most important person in the world, every single time.”

Say the words out loud!

At first, it might feel uncomfortable. That’s okay. Like any meaningful practice, it takes time to become natural. But trust me – the more you do it, the more you’ll see reasons to love the people in your life. And eventually, you won’t just be saying “I love you” more meaningfully – you’ll actually be feeling it more deeply.

This isn’t just about words. It’s about cultivating a mindset of gratitude and attention that transforms how we connect with everyone around us.

So as the clock ticks toward a new year, I leave you with this: Love grows when we name it. Try it, and watch how your relationships – and your heart – expand in ways you never expected.

What’s one “because” you’ll share this holiday season? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below.

I love you because you are taking the time to pay attention to me through this tiny blog site I’ve had for a long time.

PLP,

Sarita

Peace! Love! Positivity!

The BEST Avocado Salad Ever

Fresh Black Bean & Avocado Cilantro Salad

A vibrant, protein‑packed salad that disappears every time it hits the table. Sweet corn, creamy avocado, and a zesty lime‑garlic dressing make it perfect for potlucks, picnics, or an easy week‑night side.

Ingredients

Salad

  • 2 (15‑oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3 ripe avocados, diced into bite‑size cubes
  • 2 cups chopped cilantro (packed)
  • 3 ears fresh corn, kernels removed (≈ 2 cups)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ medium red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¾ cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped (reserve for garnish)

Lime‑Garlic Dressing

  • A scant ¼ cup extra‑virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (use 2 bulbs only if you’re a garlic lover!)
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (≈ 2 limes)

Instructions

  1. Combine the salad base – In a large bowl, add black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, chopped cilantro (from the 2‑cup portion) and cherry tomatoes. Gently toss to distribute.
  2. Fold in avocado – Add the diced avocados and carefully fold with a spatula so the cubes stay mostly intact.
  3. Make the dressing – Add olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, cayenne, and lime juice to a mason jar. Screw on the lid and shake vigorously until emulsified.
  4. Dress the salad – Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is lightly coated.
  5. Garnish – Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle the reserved ¾ cup cilantro leaves over the top for a fresh pop of green.
  6. Chill – Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled. NOTE: you do not have to wait 2 hours.

Tips & Variations

  • Char the corn on a grill or skillet first for a smoky twist.
  • Swap cayenne for finely diced jalapeño if you prefer fresh heat.
  • Add crumbled cotija or feta just before serving for a touch of creaminess.

This salad keeps well (covered) in the fridge for 2‑3 days—the lime juice helps the avocado stay bright.

Story Time: Protecting Yourself In Healthcare

Three quick stories that can save you stress, peace of mind and MONEY!!

CRISIS TIME IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO PREPARE

Happily married couple for decades.  Successful husband and bread winner.  Wife raised their family.  Life was rolling along as planned until husband’s health took a turn.  They were Retired by this point in life and he was the ONLY person that had the data about their financial house, including their healthcare coverage. 

After a year of battling this health problem, husband became bed ridden and unable to communicate.  Wife did not know the circumstances she would be facing until too late.  She had to reconstruct their financial house and healthcare from clues.  She did not know passwords, accounts, names of plans…things you need to know.

  1. Share your Financial House data with your Spouse or if you are not married, share with someone you trust with your life choices.
  2. Complete a Medical Durable Power of Attorney (MDPOA) process FOR BOTH OF YOU so you can speak on the others’ behalf in crisis.   Not all States handle this the same.  Here is the COLORADO link.  https://cdphe.colorado.gov/palliative-care/advance-care-planning-for-patients-and-families
  3. In my field I have two PLATINUM GOLD resources that can help you navigate:  Andrea Wacker with Legal Shield and Shalah Mae Zimmerman – Mobile Notary (719) 491-3718.  Do not hesitate!  Call them now and get on their calendars to get this into motion.

ONE STEP SAVED $7,600

New Medicare Beneficiary visits doctor and discovers there will be three procedures that must be done.  Asks Doc to get the authorization IN WRITING before scheduling.  Doc office assures Beneficiary they are “good” so the procedures are scheduled and completed.  All is good. 

Beneficiary goes on a month-long vacation and returns to a bill for $7600 from Doc office. 

Calls them to ask why they are holding a bill for the procedures to which Doc Office says, “Carrier did not approve them.” 

Luckily, Beneficiary had this authorization IN WRITING and held her ground: that was NOT their problem and she is not paying that bill. 

Doc office tried to negotiate but failed.  Someone had a job at the Doc office to get authorizations and THEY LIED ABOUT IT.  The Carrier was in the clear: they had not given authorization.  The Beneficiary was in the clear: had it in writing that it was covered.  I can only assume that the Doc Office administrator that lied is not working there any longer.  

  1. Do not accept procedures without Prior Authorization.  Get this in writing.  Don’t be frustrated that you have to do this.  You will be glad you did!

PROOF IS EITHER IN THE PUDDING OR IN WRITING

Beneficiary called her Supplemental Company three times to make sure she was covered for a trip to Canada to visit friends. 

Three times, she asserts, she was told she was covered.  She is the type of person that plans! 

With peace of mind she visits Canada and on one of their excursions she falls off her bike crashing.  This landed her in the hospital for a lot of procedures and a week in-patient stay.  Now, remember, Canada isn’t going to accept Medicare.  How it works: she gets the care she needs, pays the Canadian bills and brings receipts home for reimbursement.  Which she did.  Her Supplemental Company DENIED HER REIMBURSEMENT completely. 

She (understandably) felt betrayed and asked,

“WHY did you deny my claim when I had three conversations confirming my coverage would follow me to Canada?  You confirmed it!”

and their response,

“PROVE IT.”

NO DICE, she could not…and now she is paying tens of thousands of credit card debt.  

  1. Again, get things IN WRITING.  
  2. Keep a journal of all of your conversations with carriers.  The date, time of call, reason for call, the individual people’s names you talked to, any “record or service number” connected to the call, record the call if you can, notes of outcome from the call.  This type of meticulous documentation is very useful in proving you did and said what you did and said!  Guess what the percentage of people is that KEEP RECORDS LIKE THIS?  Better yet, just ask 10 of your friends or family if they do.  I don’t have a scientific study to give you a perfect response but I’ve met with 250 people this year and 5 of you keep close track of all correspondence.

DISCLAIMER!

I wrote the above at 80 miles per hour. Pardon the errors and typos. AI is losing its mind with suggestions on changing and re-working my post. I have three days left to help people get their Medicare House in order for 2025.

Open Enrollment closes on December 7th at midnight.

CALL YOUR BROKER AND GET YOUR PLAN REVIEW DONE.

Call your loved ones on Medicare and check on them. You can confirm what your / their plan is for 2025 by calling Medicare (open 24/7) at 800-633-4227.

A Trick To Being Happy(ier)

This is a straightforward and therapeutic process I have been doing for about 2 years now…

Make A List

Every quarter I make a complete list of the people that have been in my life in some way, shape or form. The list is long and it normally begins with those that I see/hear from daily if not weekly. You know the people!

Then you start back at the top of the list to note the following:

Pointing UP for the feeling that person gives you in life: positivity, good vibes, encouragement, love, attention.

Pointing DOWN are the people who take and do not give, or criticize to make you (or someone else) feel bad, or belittle you or others.

Some people have more arrows than others.

How Often?

I do this quarterly myself. It started off once a year (normally when I was sitting and reflecting on life from one year to the next around New Year’s Day).

It is fascinating to see who is in your life as you grow and become a better person. As you accomplish your goals…who was there lifting you up?

Those down arrows people can be spotted quickly as well. And that helps you organize your life without them in it. After all, they are not helping you they are taking away from you (and others most likely). Don’t forget: sometimes people are in a slump and it is temporary!

Make this you SCREEN SAVER for your phone for a few days!

Checking myself: if I feel like I’m dealing with a lot of negative energy I check my behavior. I examine what I am experiencing and consider that there are lessons in there for me somehow. I could be in a puddle so upset and struggling to see anything positive but when I fill my head with the things that ARE positive I really do begin to FEEL THAT WAY. I learned to do this here.

I’ll end this with an even better thought: ALL OF THOSE UP ARROWS ARE THE BEST PEOPLE TO GIVE YOUR POSITIVE ENERGY TO WHENEVER YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

I firmly believe, after all of these years roaming the planet, that you truly get back the energy you give.

PS: This works for all categories of our life!

The Neil Levy Memorial Golf Tournament

I stepped up to help this cause above any other support ever in my life! Silver Sponsor baby! For The Neil Levy Memorial Golf Tournament.

My dear friend Mary May (YES, MY MOM’S NAME!!) came all the way from Ault to help me man the booth. We spent most of the time just catching up after moving apart and it was THE BEST!!! I love this amazing woman.

I gave it my best effort investing in this event thinking it would be a good fit for me and my Medicare business. I put time and planning into it on top of my donation. I promoted it on Google and my social media. Randy helped as well getting Golfers to join his Foursome team. I was so excited and barely slept a wink in anticipation. This was going to be my FIRST-EVER SELF-GENERATED EVENT*! Woo-hoooo!!!

It was a beautiful weather day for this event to begin with. I greeted every team as they arrived and asked them what their connection was to the event. I’d guess 99% of the people knew the Levy family and actually worked with Neil. It was amazing and felt like a Family Reunion. Some folks shared some great memories with Neil and that was very special.

I learned about this event on Facebook.

Mary and I had a mutual connection with Paula Levy who ran the best Day Care for seniors with caretakers who needed a break. Mary says Paula saved her life with everything she did to help her with her late husband, Alvin.

Mary has so many nice things to share about her Medicare provider Humana and the support she got from them for herself and Alvin.

I met Paula randomly at a women’s group I was part of. We would see each other once in a while. I liked to give her a “Mary Update” and snap a pic. I visited Mary when she moved to Ault and it was sooooooo far away.

OK…let me get back on track!

TLDR: The photos!

I offered to take group photos of each team (pics below). Please give me photo credit.

There are two groups of photos: the Standard PGA style and then there’s the Happy Gilmore/Bob Barker Tribute.

Team Photos: Happy Gilmore/Bob Barker Tributes

The Team Photos: PGA Style

Memorializing this special day.

The Shoemaker Watering Hole

Randy Shoemaker (my husband) had a space for his work as well. The Shoemaker Watering Hole with the cutest bartender ever: Mary!

If you have a flooring or countertop project give him a call directly at 719-650-3305.

Post Tournament Festivities

Lots of businesses donated to the raffle and got exposure as well.

Patty Jewett provided lunch for everyone! I should have taken a photo. Dogs and Burgers with potato salad and chips and GIANT cookies – super popular.

The Raffles were done and then the winners were announced, I do not know who won but I did meet them as they zoomed through. All such nice people!

In Closing…

The Four Person Scramble moved quickly. Max, Neil’s eldest son, announced that if his dad were there with them he would have expected to wrap it up in 4 hours. I think they did keep that window!

With the amount of close love and support for the Levy family and in Neil’s honor I am sure this event will carry on every year bringing so many nice people together.

All Of The Golfers

Woody Woodworth, Garry Foster, Michael Nelson, Dick Janitell, Dennis Smith, Richard Guy, Michael Cole, Bruce Aikens, Tyler Souza, Wes Woodworth, Jeff Esterline, Lou Levy, Sam Levy, Max Levy, Colter Streck, Dale Huntington, Doug McClellan, Marlin Huston, Joe Roskam, Giana Roskam, Dom Roskam, John Mahoney, Cooper Glenn, Jesse Megyeri, Jake Neil, Mike Emmerling, Tracy Decharme, Scott Miller, Kathy Miller, Marty Romero, Steve Dearing, Tony Wheeler, Mike Barbato, Carter Thompson, Adam Preiss, Austin Preiss, Scott Preiss, Allen McGuinness, Rob Giunta, Daniel Hutson, Natasha Hutson, Jerry Mayes, Bill Boese, Rick Boese, Will Temby, Jeremy Hahn, Jerry Hahn, Mark Carara, Rudy Lucero, Chris Castillo, Mason Robinson, Perry Richards, Roland Trevino, Joe Campbell, Mark Swope, Carl Romero, Jim Morley, Wendy Ring, Diane Miller, Ryan Strother, Randy Shoemaker, Jen Hilyard, Gary Coleman, Chris Howard, Heidi Howard, Forrest Fix, Greg Clary, Jonathan Meyer

*In my industry (Medicare) and as a Broker our events are created and funded by the many insurance carriers. Since I began working in the Medicare field I have always worked at their events. This time I decided to try this on my own. I am licensed and able to sell almost all of them: Atena, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, ClearSpring, Devoted, Humana, Kaiser, Mutual of Omaha, Surebridge, and United Healthcare.

I would love to help you or a loved one with your Medicare questions and enrollment!

Affirmation

Almost at the summit of Pikes Peak

My business is growing so quickly it is bringing good vibrations into my world like a positive pull of energy.

I am attracting the best clients ever. They are kind, upbeat, excited to use their services, happy to communicate with me and appreciate what I bring to their world. They refer me so much business!

I am smoothly onboarding clients into my business so there is no confusion for them. Smooth sailing!

My growth is happening at a pace I am able to manage and that is resulting is wealth and happiness for my family and myself.

I am in control of my amazing life and it is so rich!