The coming month marks the one-year anniversary of Soulful Sundays. Our first gathering was held on Mother’s Day and aptly titled, Honor Thy Mother. In contemplating this month’s topic, I began to write about, “Mother Love”, which circuitously evolved into the “mother” of all healing: listening.

The past year has certainly taught us that life continually calls upon us to adapt and change. Navigating successfully through life's changing terrain requires skill, acceptance, and love. During difficult times, it is love that lets us know how to move forward.

As the snow melts, hellebore, daffodil, and iris shoots have appeared in my garden. Seeing them brings a smile to my heart. The crisp breeze is refreshing, no longer freezing. The early days of spring draw near.

It has been very cold here in the northeast. The amount of time I spend indoors can wear on me. In “normal” times, we can visit with family and friends, go to a restaurant or a movie. I long for warmer weather and the freedom it offers.

One of the ways I take care of myself is to take regular walks and runs with friends. The crisp air clears my mind and refreshes my soul. The connection nourishes my heart. In what ways are you caring for yourself?

The new year gives us the chance to start anew. It is a time to identify the "seeds" we would like to plant and cultivate in 2021.

The holiday season is upon us! I hope you and your family had a Happy Thanksgiving. For many of us, Thanksgiving was quieter than usual. I celebrated with my immediate family instead of our large extended family. Although I missed seeing everyone, it gave us an opportunity for a more intimate gathering. We each shared what we were grateful for this year. Some tears of gratitude were shed.

The sun is setting earlier. The days are getting shorter. Next Sunday, November 1st, we will set our clocks one hour to “fall back”. I did not plan it, so it is synchronistic that the topic for our next Soulful Sunday, also on November 1st, is Illuminating the Shadow. As we move into darker days, please join me in shining the light of self-love.

In life each of us experiences some form of wounding to the heart. This can be the heartbreak that follows a loss of a relationship or a loved one, a betrayal by a spouse or dear friend, the confusing and heart wrenching pain of abuse and neglect in childhood. Repeated, sudden and traumatic injuries can cause the heart to close. This is how the body responds to protect itself.

For years, I was driven by an inner taskmaster. Whether work-related or a volunteer commitment, I had a habit of taking on too much. I often found myself running late, because I had squeezed too many tasks into a given amount of time. My back ached from the pressure of constantly pushing forward. Tired and tense, I continued. Fully aware of the discomfort in my body, I failed to respond with kindness and care.

On June 12th, a magnificent event occurred. My daughter, Sarah, delivered a beautiful, baby boy, named Jack Alexander. For the first time, I became a grandmother!

Sitting on my porch, breathing in the fresh air, I am uplifted by the beauty that surrounds me. The vast array of vibrant greenery, bird chirping, gentle breezes and warm sun rays touching my skin fill me with gratitude. Mother Nature has blossomed in a way that has exceeded past years. The much-needed rest She has been given has surely nurtured Her into full bloom.

I imagine that like me you have been experiencing a range of emotions during this shelter-at-home period. Routines have been interrupted. Life is less predictable. For some, this time feels like a welcome respite and for others the isolation is too much to bear. Living alone and in the unknown can create anxiety. It can be difficult to remain grounded when fear is present, and yet our challenge is to remain grounded in the present.

With days like these, it is easy to embrace the words, “You are exactly where you are meant to be.” But having “fun in the sun” is not how life always is. Who wants to hear these words, let alone believe them during times of hardship? We do not want to suffer, but pain is part of the human journey. The challenge is to have compassion for our suffering and reap the learning from difficult experiences.

This is the time of year when we collectively resolve to make changes in our lives. These changes often involve a promise to abstain from a habit, lessen a certain behavior, create a new habit or do more of a particular activity. This year I have heard clients and friends pledging to reduce their sugar intake, take a break from alcohol, eat healthier, go to the gym, be of service, become a volunteer, pay off school loans and focus on creative projects. What’s your resolution?