It takes courage to speak your truth. In childhood we are often taught to be seen and not heard, to be obedient and good little children.  In recent days, I’ve had several conversations with friends about these residual patterns of belief and behavior that live on even though we are adults.  It is absolutely amazing [...]

We often feel, but are unable to identify or name our feelings. On the first I.M. Heart Radio Show on World Talk Radio, I talked about the range of feelings that flow through us every day.  They range from extreme joy or ecstasy to the depths of despair or hopelessness.  Remember that all feelings start [...]

A two year old child gasps in wonder as she spots a leaf in a spider web. She points to it as grandpa helps her retrieve it. She holds it up to the light and then puts it gently back on the spider web. In this moment, these two share a sense of wonder and [...]

Picture this scene.  Three young children are playing in the front yard with Dad sitting in a chair watching them. Two of them are playing an outside game with balls and the other one is riding the bike up and down the sidewalk.  Dad often walks along beside the bike riders as they are allowed [...]

Sometimes we get our priorities mixed up. We get caught up in the importance of the trappings of the world —- money, status, material things or culture.  When this happens they rise to the top of the heap in importance.  Then for some of us, our own self-importance or ego is the highest priority.  In [...]

The phrase, “TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE” is often heard. People talk about wanting to in some way make life better, help or improve the way we live. For many people this is an everyday habit that they don’t even think about.  It is a way of life.

It is Spring – time for washing windows, cleaning the hidey holes in the house of their secret treasures as well as clearing the yard of dried up foliage. Emptying means stripping away what we don’t need or want any more. It means de-cluttering as we do in spring cleaning or when we gather articles [...]

Have you ever found yourself running in opposite directions – toward someone and at the same time away from them?   Many people want real, honest, loving, committed relationships, but are terrified of really having them. They feel that they have opened their heart and it was broken. They never want to hurt that bad again, [...]

Sometimes things that happen to us in our childhood leave invisible marks that cannot be seen on our skin, but leave an indelible image in our hearts and minds.  We may carry the experience around with us and vow never to be hurt again.  Our awareness of the incident and the decision may be buried [...]

Mary Jo nurtures everyone.  Whenever a member of the family has a problem, they call Mary Jo.  The family includes children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and even members of the church family.  With each call, she gives wise and sage advice and solves or fixes the problem.  People wander in and out [...]

It is February 15, the day after Valentines Day. Did you make your Valentines Day resolutions for the coming year? If not, I.M. Heart has a few suggestions.  Since Valentines Day is all about celebrating loving relationships, let’s base our resolutions on building relationships.  Then everyone who this year had a lonely Valentines Day can [...]

“You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.” This quote is from Henry Drummond.  Since this is February, the month of Valentines Day, it is a time to reflect on the spirit [...]

I think we often overlook the significance of simple, loving support in times of family crisis, or any of any other kind of stressful situations. Many of us consider ourselves strong, self-sufficient and resilient.  We can handle whatever comes our way – alone. Yet the toll emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually is great. Until you [...]

I recently joined a study group. It is one in which we are going to explore spiritual principles.  The first week we talked about this journey as being full of possibilities.  So, we were at the POSSIBILITY JUNCTION.  As days passed, this kept rolling around in my head and took on a life of its [...]

We’ve all heard the expression, “We are all more alike than different.” There are many ways in which we are alike.  Physically, our bodies function much the same. Mentally, we process information and manage our lives. We all have emotions that impact our choices and decisions.  Yet, we often think that we are the only [...]

In 2010, I.M. presents you with a challenge.  Let’s be brave enough to reach out and care about other people.  Let’s get out of the “it’s all about me and everyone wants to hear how important I am” mode of operation.  Instead, let’s ask about others and really listen to what they might have to [...]

This is my WISH for you:  COMFORT on difficult days; SMILES when sadness intrudes; RAINBOWS to follow the clouds; LAUGHTER to kiss your lips; HUGS when spirits sag; SUNSETS to warm your heart; FRIENDSHIPS to brighten your being; BEAUTY for your eyes to see; FAITH so that you can believe; CONFIDENCE for when you doubt; [...]

Candles are often lit during the Christmas season, both in our homes and churches. The warm flicker of the flame is fascinating to watch. Many people describe a sense of peace, calm or sanctuary in watching candle light. The light also gives us a sense of connection to each other and to spirit.  Christmas Eve [...]

FAITH!  Why is faith important?  I.M. Heart, let me tell you why.  Faith changes our outlook on life. We often live with concerns, worries and anxieties that just won’t go away.  Most often they are things that we cannot change, haven’t happened, and may never happen. Yet they are always swimming around right in front [...]

I recently attended a brunch at the local community volunteer organization. It is called RSVP.  The event was heart- warming as the room filled with seniors who had worked thousands of hours volunteering in various capacities in the city. In the RSVP organization, four hundred people had worked a total of 67,000 hours volunteering in [...]