“An unexpected email from a far-off friend, some fresh vegetables left at your door, a shouted “Hey, how are you doing?” on the street, a Christmas card among the bills, the compliment when you’re feeling a bit low, taking some canned goods to the food bank, saying “yes” to the driveway party even though it’s cold outside, a forgotten glove returned, the generous discount on the gas and car wash, holiday lights to look at, flowers arriving for...

“Serendipity comes to mind…it feels the way it means – light, skipping along, carefree as the letters don’t allow you to rush through the word at all. Equanimity reminds you of equal, measured, in balance, being in a state of peace. Compassion brings out the word compass – having true direction no matter where you are and with whom. All are deserving of your care and comfort. And of course, Gentle is in this group of favourites… all soft...

“In these circumstances there’s a lot of talk and emphasis on working out despite  the restrictions that make it difficult to access a gym or yoga studio where you used to go or had the intention of going. Now the basement, the driveway, the living room serve as your go-to area to stretch and exercise. Incorporating a regular routine is a challenge. There’s no buddy around; you haven’t paid to step into the family room, and plenty of...

“At the risk of moving beyond gentle, I use the word “fiercely” deliberately here. Why so?  How do you protect yourself against cold logic, rigidity, unfairness, callousness – all those things that lack the milk of human kindness?  Only love can assuage these metal feelings that bruise your soul and remain unmoved in the face of the need for caring. Yes, love even more fiercely to bring down the ramparts of hard inflexibility that have taken...

“You have your Saturday planned – everything from when to do the laundry, to heading out for errands – to what you’re eating for dinner. Then a phone call and with it an invitation that upends the day’s routine you’ve carefully plotted. A question crosses your mind… “When will I get everything done if I’m out the entire afternoon?” Do you decline politely to adhere to the fixed dynamic or do you decide to play? Neither is wrong but I’d offer up...

“Though I’ve heard it before, I have come back to it now: Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending. In fact, I am listening to it now as I write these words. Like the lark, I too ascend when I encounter such beauty. My eyes fill with tears of awe knowing something so sublime is here for us on this earth whenever we choose to invite it into our presence. What is there of beauty that you need to encounter – not tomorrow but now to let you ascend?...