Words from the Heart

Over the past week, I have noticed an increase of vitriolic posts across social media. This makes my heart ache. Our world is filled with so much pain, so much suffering, I find it impossible to understand why people feel the need to add more of the same on social media.   My mother told me (more than once!) that if I didn't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.  I have tried to practice this throughout my life.  (I have not perfected it in any shape or form, but I try.)  What I have learned over the years is to try and stop before I say or write something I will later regret or that might hurt others. I think mindfully about how the words I am using will sound and what meaning they may convey.  Often, I rewrite something using words that are not as inflammatory or vicious.  I have also learned not to ever write for publication when I am full of anger. I may put down in words my feelings, but I don't share what I have written. I let it...

      Heart Rock   Photo art: (c) 2020 LMRN   As we enter the 6th month of this pandemic, I have been pondering ways to help bring the world Light, Love and Peace. So much around us seems hell bent on destroying these qualities. Yet, as Fred Rogers reminded us , there are always those who do good - there are always helpers.    With that in mind, I thought of how, in my Catholic upbringing, we would do novenas whenever there was a special intention we hoped to have recognized on High. In the Catholic church, a novena is nine days of prayer, offerings, and/or rituals for a specific purpose.  (Novena comes from the Latin words for nine - "novem.")   As an interfaith minister, I spent the morning trying to think of how I could offer a novena that would appeal to people no matter their faith path. Then, as I sat looking out at the birds flying back and forth to the suet feeder, it came to me.     I will host nine days of beautiful p...