Quote for the Day

Courtesy of Bocciccio

The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your action will be.

~ HH The 14th Dalai Lama

The Post-Holiday Blues: Why do I feel SO Sad?

     For many, the holidays - and the flurry of activities that go with them - are over.  While the holidays can be a very tough time for those who are grieving and in mourning, for others the activity surrounding them provides a welcome distraction.  Some feel relief when this period is over, while others feel sadness and loneliness even more acutely.  If you live in the North, as we do, the holidays come at the beginning of winter and when the merriment is over we look ahead at a long, cold, dark period before us.

     Winter is a period when nature sleeps.  Animals and plants alike slow down, hibernate, and rest.  Yet in the quiet and silence, there is an imperceptible incubation and nurturing of what will eventually spring forth.

     The festivities, lights, stresses, obligations and activities of the holidays distract us for a short time from what is naturally a pensive and quiet time.

     It is no surprise, then that this can be a time when we experience our sorrow deeply.  When our heart aches to escape the solitude and quiet.  Where we wish we could avoid our thoughts and memories.  And where our heart and soul literally ache with longing.

Quote for the Day

Thanks to Debra Lynn Dadd for sharing this wonderful quote:

In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

~ Albert Camas

Quote for the Day

Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we truly are.

- Arthur Golden

Allowing Our Animals to Teach Us the Value of Vulnerabiliy

     Dr. Brene Brown, a researcher professor at the University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work, has spent her career researching what makes us joyful and fulfilled - and what doesn't.  After listening to her TEDx talk about the power of vulnerability, I was inspired and knew I couldn't miss her session at the Massachusetts Conference for Women last week -- and she didn't disappoint.

     One of my key take-away points from both her TEDx talk and meeting her last week was this: Vulnerability matters; it is the only way to experience true joy.  Our ability to be vulnerable and tolerate vulnerability opens our heart to true joy, gives creativity life, and grants us courage.

     Sharing our lives with animals is a huge lesson in vulnerability.  We know from the outset that we will almost certainly outlive them.  That they will become sick, old, challenged and it will be us who must care for them and advocate for their welfare making excruciatingly difficult choices along the way.

Our Video: Hold On Love

So many people have asked us about our video that we thought we would re-post it.  We hope you love it.