love

A Little Bit of Love and Kindness…

October 2, 2017 Finding The Good The Difficult Stuff Unexpected Art

My blog has fallen by the wayside over the last few months for a variety of reasons but, after the tragic events in Las Vegas last night, I felt the need to share a bit of love and unexpected art with those who read this blog.  My heart is again breaking at the pain in this world and my thoughts are with all of those directly and indirectly affected by these events…

Earlier this school year, my DD#2 and I noticed this unusual little heart on the side stairway leading to the front door of her school, It wasn’t damp as if created with water. In fact, it stayed visible for a few days before disappearing.  I imagine it was painted on with some sort of semi-permanent substance before the elements washed it away.  I choose to see it as a symbol of love in this world.  Our world certainly needs as much love as we can find.
A Heart on the StairsMy husband and DD#2 made a quick trip to the grocery store yesterday evening and when they returned my husband reported that DD#2 left a small stack of pennies on the coin box for the mechanical horse. While my husband praised her for her actions and mentioned good karma, our daughter explained that she’d done it to see other people happy — as a little boy climbed onto the horse and used one of the pennies for a ride, smiling with joy.

Why not follow my daughter’s lead and do a small act of kindness to give someone else a smile today?  The world is heavy from yet another national tragedy and we all need a little pick me up. While it won’t fix our complex societal problems, a bit of love couldn’t hurt in healing some of that pain.

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions,
and the roots spring up and make new trees.” – Amelia Earhart

Rising Above It All

May 13, 2017 Finding The Good

I came upon this Denver Post article about Gavin Arneson a senior at Clear Creek High School while browsing on Facebook this morning. Despite a difficult and chaotic childhood, not to mention the recent loss of his father, Gavin has conquered these multiple challenges with determination and resilience and the support of a caring community.  He graduates school valedictorian this spring, serves as president of Clear Creek’s student council and honor society, was awarded the National Honor Society’s annual $20,000 scholarship (the only one in the country) and has received a four-year, full tuition scholarship to study nursing at New York University.  He is an impressive young man.

I don’t know Gavin or the community members that stepped up to help him succeed, but I wanted to share my appreciation of this story.  Thank you all for providing a wonderful example of how spirit, love, and compassion can make this world a better place.  Kudos to you all!

Quote by Charles de Lint pm sunflower background

A Revolution of Tenderness

April 26, 2017 Finding The Good

I was raised Catholic but left the Church many years ago because I see it as an organization that has caused pain for too many people, that espouses too many contradictions, and simply does not fit my own worldview.  I do believe it is the “right” path for some individuals, it simply isn’t the path for me.  (Sorry Mom!)  That said, the Catholic Church is one of the most powerful and influential institutions in the world.

With this influence, the Church wields great power and I’m grateful to see the current Pope Francis spread a message of compassion and love.  His missive was shared at the TED Conference 2017 on Tuesday night and is now available online.  He expresses the importance of inclusiveness, equality, and connectedness between all beings.  He speaks of a revolution of tenderness – “Tenderness means to use our eyes to see each other, our ears to hear the other, to listen to the children, the poor, those who are afraid for the future.  To listen also to the silent cry of our common home, of our sick and polluted earth.  Tenderness means to use our hands and our heart to comfort the other, to take care of those in need.”  He joins a growing chorus of voices seeking a world where compassion and love heal; I hope his followers and non-followers alike will heed his call.


Transcript of Pope Francis’ TEDTalk (from ted.com)