Here I Am
embracing your purpose...
“I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then said I, “Here I am: send me…” ~ Isaiah 6:8
I have always felt my best when I was doing something where I was making a difference in the lives of others.
It began for me very early in life, going to a Catholic elementary school, learning about the importance of service to others, being raised by parents who both emphasized the importance of helping others whenever possible.
Looking back I can see that the idea of making the world better through positive actions has actually become one of the main foundations of my life.
Sometimes the difference could be something considered monumental. Examples in my own life were completing a college degrees in a service related field, dedicating most of my adult life to a teaching career or (my proudest achievement) becoming a parent.
Those are life changing events that follow a long path filled with moments of joy and sometimes challenges but in the end, you feel like you have made a difference and it wasn’t “all about me”.
Life also has many smaller moments - daily interactions, tasks you may follow, choices that you make, that can also make a difference in your community, your workplace, your personal life…and those moments can add up to be just as important.
Regardless of how large or small, all of those moments give you a feeling of warm satisfaction, the kind that gives you a sense of purpose and meaning and that can be especially comforting in a very chaotic and confusing world.
I think every human being desires having that warm feeling - no matter what stage of life they are at.
Now I am at the empty nester stage and I find myself searching for that next monumental path…or maybe I will just stick to smaller paths…I’m not sure but having the freedom to explore my options is a gift in itself and I am grateful for that gift.
One of those choices is working on this newsletter every week. Next week marks two years since I started this newsletter, purposely on February 18th, my late mother’s birthday, because she was one of the kindest souls I have ever known and her love and guidance is something I will always treasure.
I wanted to write a newsletter that inspires and gives hope, like my mother did, to so many of her family and friends…encouragement and kindness - sort of like receiving a big hug, but with words.
The song “Here I Am” by Dan Schutte, was a favorite of my mother’s, and it says “I have heard you calling in the night, I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.”
We all have unique paths and lives but each of us has one thing in common - the ability to choose how we can make a difference each and every day….and remembering to hold people in our hearts while we do it…
Thanks for sharing this journey with me.
Here’s to year three…Let’s hold on tight and see where life takes us…
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For information about why I started this newsletter, please go to the about section.
Tranquil Moments…
I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here is this week’s:
This week’s Smile video…
When 13-year-old Gavin Mabes and some friends went to a skate park, nobody was there except Carter Bruynell, who was celebrating his 5th birthday with his mom. That's when something unexpected happened. Steve Hartman has their story on the road.
#believe #smilevideos #spreadkindnessandlove
Birthday Card Shower…
In February of 2022 I was blessed to spend time with my mother on what would turn out to be her last birthday. She was turning 93 and I shared on Facebook the request to have family and friends “shower” her with birthday cards, an idea I discovered at the church where I work.
My mother absolutely loved receiving almost 40 cards in the mail. It was a simple yet profound “act of kindness”. It was fun to watch her reaction and it was also beautiful to see how easy it is to bring joy to another person’s life - just by reminding them how special they truly are.
I hope this idea plants a seed and encourages others to do random acts of kindness whenever possible…It really does make a difference!
Podcast picks...
You might think you know what it takes to lead a happier life… more money, a better job, or Instagram-worthy vacations. You’re dead wrong. Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale — the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history — The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.
Mind/Body connections…
Catastrophizing is a thinking error (aka cognitive distortion) that makes you anxious, depressed, and unmotivated. In this video, therapist Emma McAdam explains what catastrophizing is, how to stop, and what to do instead.
Comedy Lift…
I love to share funny cartoons or memes with friends and family. Who doesn’t need to smile? Here’s this week’s Comedy Lift…
Music Moments
Music inspires me in many ways. Here's The Choir and Orchestra of St. Lillian singing Here I Am Lord….Enjoy!
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….
Thank you for sharing these smiles! ❤ I especially always love Steve's On The Road stories!