Letters Across the Miles : a virtual collaboration

 Photo by Thea Coughlin

Growing up I had a pen pal.  We would write letter to one another, spilling the secrets of our heart onto the page.  We had never met, but there was so much excitement that washed over me each time a letter would arrive in my mailbox.  With the digital world being so prominent today, it feels as if having a pen pal is long gone.

However, it does not have to be that way.  Kristine and I are coming together to create a virtual pen pal.  We will be corresponding with one another in letter format through our blogs each Tuesday. The topics of the letters will very depending upon what is living in our hearts in that moment.  You may find us telling a funny story that happened at the grocery store, sharing our inner most dreams, or dishing on the latest things we are crushing on.

Kristine is a photographer, a creative, and a writer.  She is working on her first poetry/photography book in between being out in nature, exploring the world around her, and traveling with her husband.  She has a wide expansive heart and even though we have never met in person I can feel her warmth through her words.  You can find Kristine over at

Living in the Moment

.

We will be starting tomorrow and we hope that you will follow along on our journey as we correspond with each other each Tuesday.

warrior canine connection visit

I have been honored to spend some time at the

Warrior Canine Connection

 (WCC).  An organization dedicated to teaching Service Men and Women with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder the skill of training mobility service dogs to be partnered with Veterans with mobility impairments.  The organization believes whole heartedly in the healing power of the human-animal bond.

The work that Molly and Rick are doing is incredibly inspiring.  They have dedicated their whole lives to this cause and are changing the lives of Veterans, Soldiers, and all the individuals who watch along through the live 

Puppy Cam

.  A countless number of individuals also come through the center to pet the new puppys before they go off to be trained with the soldiers.  This helps the pups get acclimated to human interactions.

The whole program was run out of the home of Rick and Molly until recently.  A special letter was sent to

Home Depot

asking for donations to help renovate the Garage.  Home Depot went above and beyond and renovated the entire garage to create an

 Enrichment Center

 and provide more room for the pups to romp around.

Everything about this program is inspiring.  And the individuals who run it are full of heart and love for their work.  It is amazing to see in person.

If you have a moment check out the Puppy Cam, but I must warn you....you may become addicted to it.   And if you are in the Maryland area I advise you to book an appointment to check out these precious pups and meet them in person.

seek

celebrating love

Today let us celebrate love.  Let's raise our glass and make a toast to the love that blooms around us and that which is infused in everything we do.

Love can be found in the passions we hold dear to our heart.  The colors we choose as we spread paint onto canvas.  The feeling of our feet hitting the pavement as we rack up the miles running.  The way we yell and scream cheering for our favorite team.

It can be seen and felt in our daily tasks.  The way we prepare a meal, make the bed, tend to the garden.  We hold love in our heart for our pets, our home, the moments we are deep in laughter.

Love is not just a feeling between two individuals.  It  is everywhere in life.  It lives within the greeting we receive when we arrive home.  The hug from our niece and the sound of her voice when she says your name.  The comforting feeling of curling up under the covers and drifting into a deep sleep.

Love is infused in the friendly wave to your neighbor or even a stranger.  The bread you bring to feed the ducks and the way you break it up into bite sized pieces, just for them.  The small flower you see emerging after the long dark days of winter.

Love can be felt through a simple touch.  A friend resting her hand on your arm as she tells you a story.  A deep embrace from your lover.   A high five given after crossing the finish line.

Love is everywhere.  Even when that "special someone" is not in your life, love is swirling around.  It is in everything we do an it ripples over to those we interact with and the way we show up in our work life.

Love is there, it is always there.  Spilling out into the world.  Bringing comfort and ease.  Spreading laughter and kindness.

Today on this day of love, let's celebrate the love we hold deep in our heart and the love we share with others.  Love is the glue that holds this world together.  Let's keep spreading it.

fears

I am not good at peeling hard boiled eggs
And am pretty bad at returning things to stores when I should
This is easy to admit

What is tough
Is hanging it all out there
Letting the world know what I am personally terrible at

I don't do great at showing up in public spaces
I have a fear of making a fool of myself
And rarely allow space to laugh at myself while unknown eyes are watching

I have a fear of the public
I shy away, back down, do not let myself have fun
It is as if they are going to choose my destiny for me

I am terrified of being embarrassed
Afraid of this unknown moment that may occur
I lock up

Even when I am out in the world alone
I think someone may be watching
I tend to dig deep into my introverted self

I want to let go more often
Play, laugh, have fun
Embrace the moment of goodness that I am in

So I am here
Stating my fears
Starting in this public space

My hope is that I will expand my wings
Take my fear to the streets
Let go and not worry about others

snow day postcard