HeartBeat

“The more you have, the more you are occupied, the less you give. But the less you have, the more free you are.” ~ Mother Teresa We can become prisoners to our possessions. At the same time, freedom can lure us from responsibilities. There is a tension between ownership and freedom, a constant pull from each side. The more things you have, the less selfless acts you have to give. It’s not even about balance. It’s not an equation. Instead, it is a constant tug-of-war, and both sides demand sacrifices. If you are passionately pursuing ownership of something, a house, a boat, a motorcycle, a hot tub, you cannot be entirely available to others who need you. Tension and sacrifice. So here’s the thing, if buying all this stuff still has not made you happy, then maybe getting rid of it will. The less you have, the more freedom you have. Because the mindset of more we have the more we want is real. When we satisfy one want, we become aware of other areas of lack and desire. It creates t...

I feel at home in my quiet woods, and I feel consoled by the deep, clear pond as well as the tempestuous ocean. A run through meadows of wildflowers, a hike above treeline, and a dip in a waterfall grotto melts away familiar but most unwelcomed tension. I love nature. It is not easy to block time to connect with nature, even given where I live. I am truly blessed to call this place home. It is almost planting season. Most seedlings have taken root, reaching capacity and beckoning to be transplanted outdoors into direct sunlight. As we dig into the soil, it becomes a repetitive, meditative process. While the fresh air is incredibly invigorating, at the same time, it is very grounding to spend time planting, pruning and cultivating. Nurturing plants requires us to cultivate an understanding of the conditions needed to thrive. What type of soil is best? How much sunlight? How much water? What to plant near each other? How to rotate the crops? Do I sound like a farmer’s daughter?...

The handshake. It is a simple gesture that reveals much in two seconds. There are countless conjectures on what a handshake reveals about someone. Some indicate there is no correlation between a handshake and the character of an individual. Others adhere that the handshake manner is learned and cannot be unlearned. The truth is somewhere between these various opinions and our own personal experiences. The handshake is multifaceted. Similar to body language, there is research showing a connection between handshake strength and brain function. So let’s address that. What is your immediate reaction to these handshakes: dead fish, hand hug, bone crusher, yank and pull? Which handshake types send a negative message of dominance, aggressiveness, insecurity, nervousness? Which handshake is warm and welcoming? So here’s the thing, people will judge you by your handshake. Ninety percent of what we think about a person is determined in that 7-second window of opportunity. The customar...

This weekend I took my daughter to visit her college campus. The defining moment was watching her wander through the science building and gape into the labs. Her face, wide eyes, and jaw drop was a throwback to age three, and I knew she was passionate about being there. That 30 second moment reaffirmed she is precisely where she needs to be.  What is your passion? That question was asked of me a few weeks ago, and I shocked my interrogator by answering so quickly. Without a doubt, writing. I love to write. But I qualified my answer because I do a lot of things with passion. I commune with water as often as possible. I love creating healthy and delicious meals. I exercise in a way that feels right and sustainable for me. I devote time every morning to play my ukelele. I read and absorb many types of publications. I love to engross in conversation with a diverse population. I seek out outstanding live music. And I am always planning the next travel adventure.  ...