Fe"brrrrrr"uary — like many of you, I've never understood why this month is spelled the way it is, because most people pronounce it "FEB-YOU-WARY" — even Merriam-Webster Dictionary says this is an acceptable pronunciation. So, maybe the "B" and the "R" are next to each other as a nod to how frigid it is outside most days. Regardless of how you pronounce it, our February issue of Woodstock Family Life is celebrating Black History Month with a really cool feature article on pages 20-21 about some of Cherokee County's historical Black landmarks, so be sure to check it out!

Since Valentine's Day is on the 14th, many folks also associate this month with chocolate, flowers, love, and snuggling up with their favorite person to get through the last full month of winter. What people are less excited to think about are things such as getting out from under the comfy warm covers early in the morning to get their daily workout in, knocking out whatever dreaded chore or work task they may be avoiding, or limiting their chocolate consumption so they don't eat an unhealthy amount of fat and sugar.

But having the discipline to do what you know you should do when you don't feel like doing it is paramount.

"Nobody wants to tell you why discipline is so important. Discipline is the strongest form of self-love. It is ignoring current pleasures for bigger rewards to come. It's loving yourself enough to give yourself everything you've ever wanted," said Brian Tracy, international personal and business goal consultant.

So even if you're not coupled up with someone to celebrate this Valentine's Day, you always have yourself – and there's no time like the present to love who you are, who you're becoming, and do everything possible to reach or maintain those New Year's resolutions you may have set last month.

Have a fabulous February!