Kindred Spirits

supporting our souls...

Feb 03, 2024

"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” ~ L.M. Montgomery

I have been a fan of Anne of Green Gables since I was a teenager. I read several of the L.M. Montgomery books from that series and enjoyed the many film versions of Anne’s adventures, my most favorite being the 1985 version starring Megan Follows and Colleen Dewhurst.

Some authors have a beautiful way of capturing the essence of their characters and Montgomery’s writing, at times, seems more like poetry - the way her words flow off of the page…her fictional characters literally come to life…

Anne of Green Gables also introduced me to the concept of “kindred spirits”. I was always fascinated by this idea and I have been blessed throughout the years to meet and love many people who fall into that category.

Anne and Diana - the original “kindred spirits.”

What is a “kindred spirit”?

In simplest terms it can be described as a person who seems to connect with you on a deeper level…a person whose love and compassion for you seems endless and you feel extremely comfortable and accepted in their presence.

My personal definition is a person who truly understands me..who can complete my sentences and perhaps, most importantly, bring me joy.

Those who know me well have experienced my hearty laugh and my dry, sometimes sarcastic, sense of humor. They also know my empathetic nature and my desire to spread joy and humor to those around me.

My kindred spirit people also see my unique personal qualities and they draw their own positive energy from them. In other words, being with your fellow kindred spirits provides you a sense of peace and satisfaction…important characteristics that seem more difficult to find in our society today.

And yet, I still believe in the power of these positive connections, not just because of the obvious reason - that being with people who love and accept you makes your overall life healthier and better…

But you must also remember that having kindred spirits in your life means that you are one too.

Taking care of yourself and remembering that the person who looks back at you when you gaze in a mirror is someone who is a very special person in the lives of many people.

As I go about my daily life now, I am really working on making sure that I connect with someone each day who brings out the best in me…and I, in turn, bring out the best in them.

Think of the power that such positive energy brings to each of us…and to the world…

Perhaps the character Anne Shirley said it best, “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off of a string….”

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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:

Children’s Corner

Back in 1999, when I was an elementary school librarian, I started a project where I wrote letters (old fashioned, printed letters) to a variety of famous people. This was prior to the daily use of email and text messages. My questions were simple…

1) From your own life experiences, how has reading affected your life in a positive manner?

2) Was there any particular person or experience in your life that made you aware of the value of literature and the importance of reading?

I am going to share these letters and let you experience the joy many of my students (and myself) have gotten from their touching words - Here is this week’s:

This week’s Smile video…

Following his retirement and the death of his wife, Danny Chauvin needed a way to keep busy, so he began offering his handyman services for free. It changed his life. Steve Hartman has his story in "On the Road."

#believe #smilevideos #spreadkindnessandlove

Poetry to ponder…

Podcast Picks

Just the Right Book is a podcast hosted by Roxanne Coady, owner of famous independent bookstore R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT, that will help you discover new and note-worthy books in all genres, give you unique insights into your favorite authors, and bring you up to date with what’s happening in the literary world.