This is the current heart of my home.  With the cold winter days dragging on, I love to start and end my days in this spot in my living room with the fireplace roaring.  In the evenings, it is designated a "No Technology Zone" as Steve and I sip cocktails, discuss our days, and recharge our batteries.

I'd love to know where the heart of your home is...send me an email with a picture attached.

A couple of years ago, after burning out on Facebook and petty politics, I made a conscious effort to change how I was spending my time. I really wanted to heighten my appreciation of all the positive things I encountered on a daily basis.

To help me reframe my viewpoint I started reading works from metaphysical writers, inspirational devotionalists, and modern poets. The more I read, the more the common theme of connectedness began to emerge. The underlying theory being that we are all one, connected by our spiritual natures. It made a lot of sense to me...that with a common origin we should share a common destiny.

What I couldn't really get a handle on is how we shape that shared path when each of us holds our own views, biases and experiences. Seems I wasn't looking far enough.

Days ago, I read something quite amazing. If you place two living, separately beating heart cells in a Petri dish, they will ultimately unite in their rhythm. SERIOUSLY...think about that.

As author Mark Nepo put it, "It is cellular proof that beneath any resistance we might pose..there is in the very nature of life itself some essential joining force.  This inborn ability to find and enliven a common beat is the miracle of love."

WOW!

The more I think about it, it's about compassion, empathy, and grace. It's asking questions, understanding the answers, and appreciating the feelings.  It's withholding judgement, recognizing uniqueness and loving our human family for who we truly are.

Too deep? Probably. But I do believe that with this common bond all things are possible.

Not coincidentally, I happened upon this beautiful print by Mary Engelbreit, shown below, within moments of reading about the common rhythm...you just can't make that up!

​If you would like to purchase Mary's beautiful and poignant print click here to be directed to her website.

What is it they say about truer words? 

Every day, I encourage you to take a chunk of time, whether it's small or large, and do something you love.  Savor a cup of coffee, catch up with a friend, paint a picture, compose a poem, go for a walk, sew some seeds, bake some cookies, or simply meditate.

The difference you'll feel will be sunshine on a cloudy day, the cherry on top of a sundae, or the spark that lights a roaring fire that propels you to loving your life!

Here are the Top 10 things I'm crushing over right now.  Click the pictures to find out why and tell me if you have a favorite in the comments below.