The topic on the I.M. Heart Show today, Wednesday, September 8, 2010 is: “How Do You Know Love?”  You can listen to this on World Talk Radio/Voice of America at: http://www.voiceamerica.com/worldtalkradio/vshow.aspx?sid=1765.

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 [...]

Multiple sclerosis. Darryl could not believe it. As he spoke to the crowd, sharing his story, there was an absolute hush. He talked about the prognosis from the doctors. They could do nothing more for him and he was told he would not live long.  What was he going to do?  Give up and give [...]

The following is a true story — tearfully shared by a friend.  Seems Eileen has loved Paul for a very long time and has shared travel and work with him for many years. However, time and circumstances have kept them apart and this last week afforded an opportunity to see each other.  Eileen was uncertain [...]

When life presents traumatic experiences, we have a choice. We can crumble, cave in, and go hide in a hole.  Another choice is to buckle down, hang tight and ride it out.  It is much like walking through a thick jungle covered in vegetation, with wild animals and screeches in the dark. The intensity of [...]

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 [...]

The following is a true story, shared by a friend.  It is also my story and yours.  We often think we have left the past behind only to have it jump up and come to life in the most unexpected of times. This story reflects how the imprint of a childhood experience can have a [...]

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 [...]

Last Sunday in the early evening we were driving home from St. Louis.  As we got in the car to leave I noticed the bank of clouds to the West.  It wasn’t long before we drove into a terrific storm.  The rain was coming down so hard that the windshield wipers couldn’t keep up, even [...]

I was reading an article by Ross Bishop on “Giving Love” and he made some good points on this most special, wanted and painful of all feelings. We’ve all felt as if our hearts have been broken into tiny pieces.  We can feel crushed, beaten and bruised when we‘re hurt.  However, when we love and [...]

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, [...]

“I’m a work in progress.”  This remark struck a cord with me as it was spoken by a very bright young man who has had his share of ups and downs in life.  It was a very insightful and honest statement from a person I have learned to respect.  He spoke a great truth for [...]

We often get involved —- way too involved —- in taking care of everything and everyone, controlling situations so they unfold exactly as we think they should play out, or fixing not only our lives, but the lives of everyone around us.  There are times when giving and caring is the right thing to do. [...]

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.

Its graduation time and many people are completing a college degree or a high school diploma.  This calls for a celebration!  The journey has been long, with both highs and lows, lots of work and also fun. I made it —– THIS IS MY BIG DAY! Congratulations on your accomplishments!

This week I had overnight guests.  I was the bed and breakfast for the night. These friends are walking, not biking, The Katy Trail across Missouri.  The Katy Trail is a 225 mile (365 km) bike path stretching across most of the state. Over half of it follows Lewis and Clark’s path up the Missouri [...]

Do you know what a tuxedo cat is? It is a black cat with a white neck and chest – as if it had on a tuxedo. They look very dignified and formal. One of these cats has made his home with us.  Last winter in the worst snow and cold, I observed him wandering [...]

How do you define fun? Is it something that is only playtime and does not involve your job or some kind of work?  Or, is it something that you simply enjoy, regardless of whether it is you are getting paid to do it, have to do it, or is a chore that will make life [...]