Words from the Heart

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth. (And speak from the heart to be heard.)” ― William W. Purkey These words by author and educator, William Purkey, have sat on my wall for years.  Of late, whether because I am midway through my 70th journey around the sun or what, I am not sure, but I have been taking these words to heart. "You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching," says to me - don't worry about what others will think, enjoy life!  Run in the rain with the children, splash in the puddles.  Make snow angels.  Yell, "Yeah, Creator!"  "Love like you'll never be hurt," is the only way to love in my estimation.  I have shared many times that my old heart looks like a patchwork quilt, but I wouldn't change a thing. I love the story of how the Japanese treasure their pot...

 Today, I have the honor of sharing a guest post with the author of I Can't Wait to Love You Forever, Patricia Eckerman Ambas.  I highly recommend this book both for the content and the illustrations. I wished I had a copy of it way back when I was raising my girls. Patricia is a talented writer. I hope you enjoy her post. Grandchildren Connections Grandparents are powerful forces. The ones who can be the second parents, but more of the love and fun, and less of the discipline. Not even close to being a grandmother yet, I consider myself close to the source of what grandchildren want (as a beloved and loving granddaughter myself) and raising three children who have a close connection with both sets of grandparents. I have two tips to share with you that can begin to cultivate a stronger relationship with your grandchildren.  One of the reasons I’m sharing on this topic is that I’m finding some of my biggest book fans are grandparents. They love buying my books for their g...

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...

  When you teach English to adult immigrants and refugees, you quickly realize that we are all connected with the same hopes and desires regardless of culture, religion, race, or gender. When you hear about the joys of your students, you celebrate with them. Likewise, when you hear of their sadness, you mourn with them. My "heart is down and my soul is heavy" with all the pain and suffering in the world. I have dear students from all over the world with families suffering because of earthquakes, storms, fires, war, and madness.  I pray constantly that good will conquer evil. I preach the Golden Rule faithfully. I KNOW that Love IS the answer. I also know that fear feeds evil in a way akin to how steroids feed a body but make the mind mad.  As difficult as it is, we must continue to care for one another...to see the beauty inside each person we come in contact with during our days. We must not fall prey to hate. Like a vampire bite, hate produces more hate, and the cycle b...

  How often do you say the words, "I love you," "I am sorry," "I forgive you," or "Thank you?"  Short phrases that carry so much power. These are the phrases used in the Hawaiian prayer Ho'oponopono.  (Click the link to learn more about this healing practice.) The power of these words lies in the sincerity by which they are uttered. Too often, they become pat sayings used to fill gaps in conversation or used lightly to show sentiments for which English is lacking.  Let me give you an example. How often have you heard someone say, "Oh, I love my new car (or dress, or whatever.)"  Do they really "love" these things?  On the other hand, I know that I have said, "I'm sorry," upon hearing something for which I had not words to express the feelings I had about a situation.  Sorry wasn't the right word, but I have yet to find a word that adequately expresses my feelings when someone shares the horrors of their l...

      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...

Since one of the best gifts my Momma gave me was poetry, I am sharing several poems I have written celebrating motherhood.   I dedicate this post to all the mothers of the world. Those who can raise their children without fear, and those who struggle to give their children their best in spite of pain, disease, war, and famine. God bless you all! Enjoy! NURSING BABY Your blue eyes look Wide-eyed in trust As you nourish More than just your body. Love encircles you As you dreamily hum Your baby purr… Deep satisfaction. A song, half sung Lulls you to sleep. Peaceful, warm… You are loved! LMRN © 5-83 LITTLE FINGERPRINTS Our life is cluttered with little fingerprints. They’re everywhere you look! Gone are the days of clean TV screens, Clean windows and un-smeared books. Little fingerprints fill our days now, And though I scrub most off, so smart, The ones I wouldn’t dare to touch Are the ones imprinted on my heart. LMRN © 1984 KATHLEEN VICTORIA Tiny hands reach down to scoop...

Those who know me, know that I am not a big fan of St. Valentine's Day. Not because I am no longer Catholic, but rather because of the commercialism that surrounds it. Let's face it, people are guilted into sending cards, giving candy, flowers, gifts and going out to eat even if they don't have the money.  My feeling on this is strong. Don't tell me you love me one day in the year...show me every day.  Love stagnates when we only recognize it once every 12 months. But, when we share it daily, when we do little kindness that say, "I love you," and when we take the time to "be" with those we love, Love grows, overflows and spreads out into the universe! So, on the eve of this St. Valentine's Day, may all my family and friends be assured of my Love for them, not because I remembered to say something on this occasion, but because I try to show them daily how much they mean to me.  Blessings to all!

I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing my friend and fellow poet, Dr. Pearl Ketover Prilik about her lastest chapbook, Rachmones - Poems of Compassion, which will be "coming soon."  Pearl is an gifted writer and it is a joy to share her interview with you all. I hope you will find something that touches your heart and soul in the following. ~~~ Pearl, I am really enthralled with your new book...the poems are so personal, yet so universal! Thank you for sharing them with me.  Thank you Linda, it means a great deal to me to hear that you enjoyed the poems.   Could you tell us a bit about who you are, what you do professionally and why you write poetry?  First of all, I think it was a wonderful intervention of the universe that this interview came to me via my commenting on a wonderful poem of your own. In what I term a “previous life-time,” I was a teacher of English and Reading in NYC and prior to that -- a long story in itself -- ra...

People often ask why I teach, or write, or minister. The answer is always the same...Love. I teach for the love of sharing knowledge with others. I write for the love of words and how placing them in just the right position can paint a picture in someone's mind. I minister for the love of being of service to others. This past month, I have been participating in the 3 0 Poems in November! Challenge. The poems I have written have been dedicated and inspired by those I teach and for whom the money raised will benefit. I have not reached my goal, yet. I still have hope. The money from 30 Poems goes to the programs and needs of Center for New Americans (CNA) , a non-profit agency with sites in four Western Massachusetts cities. CNA helps immigrants and refugees learn English as well as assists in finding jobs, housing, citizenship and a host of other needs. Center for New Americans runs its daily operations on grants, donations and volunteers. Fundraising is essential...