Summer is ending, but the new beginnings keep unfolding. I have found new gratitude for my health. Living with my mind and heart open in the unforced rhythms of grace is where I want to be. My sons are growing and learning much faster than the pace I had set for myself. I find gems along my journey, gifts. Today I found one in the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. She talks of the gifts in nature and how a gift creates a friendship and continuum of reciprocity. I believe that to be true.

The author speaks of strawberries as the Earth’s gift. The Heart berry. Its shape and aroma make it so sweet. Do we cherish the heart of the Earth and all it has given us? The genuine gifts that surround us are fading because we fail to recognize them as so.

I will give more generously. Recently, my brother ran into an acquaintance that knew our grandfather. He shared a story about how my grandfather would wear nice ties and if anyone ever complimented him he would give the tie to that person. The divine law of giving your best to others is what I want to model to my sons.

The ways in which I give my best are through my cooking and caring for others. Being able to share my heart through this format of a blog. Capturing moments in time for families with my camera. Working in the garden.

I seek SOULutions. Gifts that generate more Love and compassion.