Love and Kindness

The Strength of Women

Backstory

Recent months have made such extra demands on women. New virtues of courage and resilience were called into focus by busy moms, lonely grandmothers and those sequestered alone,

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Women’s Strength – #267

Women have strengths that amaze. We bear hardships and carry burdens, but we hold happiness, love and joy. We smile when we want to scream, cry when we’re happy and laugh when we’re nervous.

We fight for what we believe in and stand up to injustice. We don’t take no for an answer when we believe there is a better solution. We go without so our family can have. We cry when our children excel and cheer when our friends get awards. We nurture and juggle responsibilities effectively. We keep everyone on schedule and get them there on time.

Our responsibilities as a mother never end. We are always there when needed and everyone depends on that. We are the glue that holds everything together. We are strong when it seems there is no strength left. We know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They drive, fly, walk, run or email you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

We women have one flaw, however. We forget our worth. Never forget your worth.

You are amazing.

P.S.

The joy you get when you hear a teenager agreeing with one of your long-preached truisms. The pride in her voice when your daughter tells of something you did right They don’t go around singing your praises, so you have to watch for the rare opportunities when you catch a glimpse at how much you are appreciated by those you love. As I said, you are amazing!

[Show #267]

I Had to Sell My House

Backstory

Why would I sell this perfect homestead? That question rolled around in my mind for months as I tried to decide what to do. The truth was, events were such that it was necessary and beneficial for me to move on. And yet . . .

Click to listen or follow below to read.

I Had to Sell my House – #530

I had to sell my house. I loved that house. It’s on the river with views of the mountains and a wonderful community where people care about each other, and help each other. I lived there for more than a decade and had set down roots. But things changed, and it was time to live elsewhere. I moved everything out and looked at the bare walls. They looked good, and had fared well.

One year I had decided to turn the restroom into a stunning oasis. I’d built in lighted glass shelves to spotlight treasures that I could change every month or so. Wallpaper set the theme, enhanced by crown molding and pewter side lamps. I had a beautiful antique mirror. The floor was laid with marble tiles and a furniture quality vanity was installed with granite top. It all blended beautifully. I so enjoyed the feeling of the small lovely space. Sliding doors to the deck were replaced with romantic French doors. Shelves were added for displaying my teapot collection.

I could see myself in every nook and cranny of the house. I had made it my own.

And now, it was passing to new hands. How would it be treated? Would the next family know joy and happiness here? Would they replace my version of beauty with things of their own?

Of course, they will. And I am so happy for them.

P.S.
Left behind brick and mortar, but not the memories. Photos, comments and late-night reminiscing all bring back visions of that lovely home and all the happy moments enjoyed there. They are mine forever.

[Show #530]

Rethinking Sympathy

Backstory

There is a tendency to fill the air with words, when expressing sympathy, in person or in writing. Hallmark chooses comforting messages for you. Sometimes empathy presents the best sincerity.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Rethinking Sympathy – #377

“I know how you feel.” People often say that, to show empathy with someone else. The truth is, you probably have no idea how they feel. And saying that you do may really aggravate the other person or make them want to scream back that you could not possibly feel their pain.

So how do you comfort someone over a loss or a tragedy? You might say – I know how I would feel in that situation. You might even find better words to use.

Often, it’s best to just be quiet. Be a sounding board, rather than someone who gives advice. Let the other person vent or cry on your shoulder. A gentle touch…a hug …the holding of a hand – all those can express empathy better than a speech.

Sometimes you’ll share the tears; sometimes you’ll dry them. Just being there with someone you care for can be the greatest gift in their time of need. Being there…and quiet…and listening…and sharing.

You won’t find that prescription on a bottle of medication. You’ll find it in your soul.

Don’t be afraid of the person in pain. Don’t try to convince them things will be better. Just be there for them, with love in your heart.

It works.

P.S.
Some people have a generous knack for expressing sympathy by doing. We think to take food over right away, but take it again later too. Call with a lunch invitation in a few weeks. If you are turned down, ask again later. Send a “thinking of you” card the next month. Mark your calendar to remember to stay in touch. Don’t let your hurting friend fall between the cracks of your busy life. Good friends are rare – and well worth the extra effort.

[Show #377]

New Abnormal

Backstory

We can’t control what happens, but we can always control our reaction. I had just had a vivid example of the benefits of positivity. It inspired a message about coping with change.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

New Abnormal – #376

Most of us come into this world in perfect condition: ten fingers and toes – although I have always wondered why counting digits is so important to new parents. Anyway, we perfect beings have minds ready to learn, bodies ready to grow and perform.

Then somewhere along the way, something may happen – accident…disease…chronic illness. It could happen when you are 26…or 39…or 74.

Suddenly, things are no longer normal. All the things you could do before are no longer easy or fast. You’re slowed down. You could easily be convinced that you are sidelined. You’re not perfect anymore.

That’s when attitude becomes as important as the right treatment. You have to decide on your own personal new normal. Set new goals within your current capacity. You can sit and bemoan the loss of the old normal – or work toward improvement, but within the accepted new normal.

Learning to accept help graciously can be an important part of relearning. Those who do so often find they can again have a good life with much joy and many adventures. Maybe not as elaborate as when you first came into the world, but fine enough to say Life is Good – even in my new normal.

P.S.

Happiness is relative. Things don’t need to be perfect for you to be happy. Count your blessings and don’t fret if the list is not as long as it used to be. The point is to build on what we have today and give thanks. Always give thanks.

Show #376

Daily Miracles of Love

Backstory

I was at the height of my career. In demand. Lots of travel, awards, attention. Then I’d return to our simple, quiet farmhouse in rural Virginia. No glitz, no spotlights. He wondered if it was enough.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Daily Miracles – #015

We were sitting on the porch, watching the early evening clouds change colors as sunset approached. He turned to me and asked, “Do you enjoy sitting here quietly just taking it all in?”

He referred to the mountains that rose from the other side of the road, the flowers and the swaying trees, the birds, twittering happily in the evening shadows.

“Sometimes I wonder if this is too staid for you,” he added.

How could I possibly express to him all it meant to sit next to him and take in the daily miracles that so often go unnoticed in our hurried world. To hear the sounds of nature instead of the ringing of the house phone, the office phone, the cell phone.

To sit here knowing this is the final destination of the day. No more need to wedge my way into the traffic and claim my share of blacktop to get me home. The most peaceful time of day when my heart sings and my hand touching his is divinely intimate. It is the essence of every love song.

“This is my favorite part,” I shared softly, tears of joy gathering in my eyes. And I believe he understood everything expressed by those few little words.

P.S.

To have career satisfaction and at home, a soft place to land. A huge blessing found by many here in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

[Show #15]

We Early Risers

Backstory

As a writer, I’m used to working alone. The early morning hours seem to be my best time to explore big ideas and dissect everyday happenings to look at them a different way. Watching the sun issue in a new day is exhilarating.

I was thinking about how other people find their most productive time to work. When is yours?

Click to listen or follow below to read.

We Early Risers – #606

What time do you get up in the morning?

I’m an early riser – 5 a.m. for the most part. Love to see the sun lighten the sky and insist on a new day as it grows bright.

That’s my best time to think. It’s when these Consider This shows are written.

It’s quiet and personal and the day’s responsibilities can be held at bay long enough for thoughts of love and gratitude and joy to be celebrated first.

I find myself smiling, in front of the computer screen in those early hours.

I never pay bills at that hour, or plan a budget or open the mail. Save those for the afternoon, when energy is waning and mundane things can be done.

Early mornings are meant for thinking . . . planning . . . being mesmerized by the consideration of things that are and dare to be.

It’s not a time for Facebook or websites that present other people’s thoughts and ideas. In early morning, I want to feel my own thoughts; take them out, explore them, see if they stand up to early morning scrutiny.

Sometimes they don’t. And a show half written crumbles away like a lyric by Adele. Concepts that do not deserve your ear are burned at the stake and you never hear them.

How do you spend your early mornings? Please come to our online blog and post your response. If you have no early morning rituals, tell when you do contemplate or meditate or evaluate thoughts and ideas. I would so like to hear.

P.S.

During the days of self-quarantine, many people found new ways to concentrate, connect and reach their inner selves. Makes you wonder what the long-term result will be of our experiences with an overabundance of togetherness for some, loneliness for others. Blessed are those who managed to achieve balance between the two.

[Show #606]

« Previous Page