“The ear is the avenue to the heart.” — Voltaire traits of gentleness remaining still and caring strengthen a soft heart * * * Gentle Rabbit ~ New England Cottontail personifies softness • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Gentleness” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2021
“It’s not the body’s posture but the heart’s attitude that counts when we pray.” — Billy Graham consider the trees lifting their limbs to the sky pageant of prayer * * * Tree in Prayer ~ Gold Leaf Japanese Maple tree at Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford, Connecticut • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Prayer” … More Prayer
“Tears are words the heart can’t express.” — Gerard Way “Don’t ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak.” — William P. Young * * * Shedding a Tear on Memorial Day~Fallen tulip petal • Photo … More Tears
“The tongue has no bones, but can break a heart.” — Ed Sheeran “To thrive in life you need three bones. A wishbone. A backbone. And a funny bone.” — Reba McEntire * * * The skeletons are out for Halloween. ~ Photo at Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, Conn., by Mary O’Connor © 2019
“A hug is an amazing thing. It’s just the perfect way to show the love we’re feeling but can’t find the words to say.” —Johnny Ray Ryder “If the tree doesn’t hug you back, it’s not a problem with the tree, it’s a problem with your heart.” — Donald L. Hicks * * * Symbolizing … More Tree Hug
“Let there always be a bright spot in your heart for the people around you. They might need a bit of sunshine.” — Ron Baratono “We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” — J. K. Rowling * * … More Centerstage
“The wildflower wreath of feeling, the sunbeam of the heart.” — Fitz-Greene Halleck “Once again…welcome to my house. Come freely. Go safely, and leave something of the happiness you bring.” — Bram Stoker * * * Fall colors offer welcome greeting — Photo by Mary O’Connor © 2018
“Just smiling at someone walking down the street can make the person’s day. It’s all about paying it forward.” — Mariska Hargitay To experience an example of what it means to make someone’s day, I only needed to step out my front doorway the other morning and encounter the surprise handiwork of nine-year-old neighbor friend … More Reason to smile!
“Open the bloom of your heart and become a gift of beauty to the world.” — Bryant McGill * * * Beauty, tightly wrapped — Photo of lilac buds by Mary O’Connor © 2018
“The love for material things grows like a fungus in the soul and destroys the loveliness of the human heart utterly.” — Caryll Houselander Noted for its water-absorbing abilities, the amadou fungi was traditionally used as tinder, dating back to ice-age days. Today it is still harvested in much of central Europe and used to craft … More Material things
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 