Category Archives: Life

Kindness, Life

Frances Xavier Cabrini

I just had the good fortune of seeing the 2024 film, “Cabrini”.  It is about Frances Cabrini, an amazing woman who positively changed the world.  She was born in 1850 in a small town in northern Italy, and spent her life making a positive difference for all of the people she touched.  By the time she was 30 years of age she had founded a missionary.  Then in 1889 she traveled to the United States, and met the immigrant Italian children living in complete squalor in the sewers of New York City. Despite great opposition from many men and those opposed to “dirty” Italians she succeeded in founding 67 institutions which included orphanages, hospitals and schools to help those in need.

In 1946, she was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XII in recognition of her service to mankind and was named Patroness of Immigrants in 1950.

I am inspired by her relentless courage in the face of opposition and greed.  I am inspired by the fact that she never gave up and did the right thing, despite those who acted from fear, selfishness and ignorance.  I am inspired by her kindness. Thank you for your light, Saint Frances Cabrini.  And please see the film!

Animals, Life, Nature, Oceans, Sea Turtles

Holidays and Turtles

Last week I had the opportunity to see one of my favorite types of turtles, the loggerhead turtle. She (Pyari) was recuperating from a nasty run in with a shark who gobbled up part of her front fins. Luckily, the rescue center is taking good care of her and she is healing. Loggerhead turtles are quite amazing, they weigh anywhere from 155 – 412 pounds and are 2.4 to 3.5 feet long. They live mostly in tropical, warm waters and are found in places like Florida and Mexico.

I am always amazed by animals and their fortitude. They remind me to live each day well, to have courage, and to not give up. They also remind me to be a better human being. May you have a happy and healthy holiday season.

Life

Thoughts for July

Time has gone swiftly and I have been remiss in posting a blog. Please excuse me. Life has been busy, selling my beloved home and helping an aging parent move. I had underestimated what it means to move and now remember, it is quite something. There is an emotional side to it and a physical side -letting go of what no longer serves, being courageous in the face of change, sadness over what once was, and hope for what will be. Step by step has been my mantra, as has a persevering spirit within. I am lucky and know that so many others have no homes or are in terrible situations. And then, there are the countless animals dying because of environmental degradation, starvation, or pollution. May we all continue to be kind to one another, help those in need, and be kind to animals. Thank you.

Life

On Fire

1 Comment
Pacific Palisades, California

Many people have been affected by the recent fires around Los Angeles, California. More than 27 people have perished and over 12,000 buildings have been destroyed. Some people lost everything and got out with only a change of clothes, a laptop, and important documents. When my friend called me crying and told me of her loss, I cried too. It felt deep and visceral. It unearthed me. It felt vulnerable, tragic and sad. And it felt scary. How often do we take things for granted? Big things, little things. Drinking tea out of our favorite cup. Putting on a favorite sweater. Being able to talk to a friend next door. This life is not for wimps. Take solace in each day’s blessings. Be grateful for what you have. Tomorrow is not promised.

One of my yoga teachers sent this poem by Canadian poet Rupi Kaur. Maybe it will give you some solace.

“They could take away
everything we have
and we’d conjure this
beautiful life up all over again
with the bones in our backs
building an empire
from the ground up
is exactly what we’re good at”

Life

Darkness and Light

As we take a moment to celebrate all of the holidays during this special season I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge all of you who read this blog. I thank you for your comments and support, and wish you much happiness and many blessings.

Since the days are getting shorter and the nights longer, I have been thinking of darkness and light, and their meaning in our lives. Many people say that is a time to slow down and be reflective, and a time to set new intentions for the future. I agree. We can also remember not to get stuck in our heads and to follow our hearts. Yes, the mind likes routine, predictability and to feel safe; yet the art of true happiness is through the heart which prefers spontaneity and adventure. I shall endeavor to find a balance between the mind and the heart, and hope you can too. With my warmest wishes, Nicole

Life

Courage

In moments of difficulty or stress, I endeavor to remember to have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. And I keep getting up, no matter how many times I fall.

Life

A Wedding and a Funeral

These last weeks I had the honor to be part of both a wedding and a funeral. The wedding was for my best friend. It was a joyous celebration and a wonderful reminder of the happiness that two people can bring to each other and to those around them. The funeral, on the other hand, was for a “grand homme”, a great man who was like a father to me. He was young, yet managed to positively touch the lives of so many around him. He taught me so many things, and I will miss him dearly.

What springs forth from this wedding and funeral, two deeply moving events, and the people in them, is the reminder that we must endeavor to live each day well. Tomorrow is not guaranteed and our every behavior has a ripple effect down the line, touching someone else or even an animal. Life has its joys and its sorrows, its ups and downs, and its hardships. And I keep hold of these words by Khalil Gibran, “your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you, as by the way your mind looks at what happens”.

Life

Courage

Sometimes life throws us an unexpected curve ball or an unjust slap in the face. It takes courage when this happens. And so I share this quote which inspired me today.

“No coward soul is mine.

No trembler in the world’s

storm-troubled sphere.

I see Heaven’s glories shine.

And faith shines equal

arming me from fear”

Emily Bronte