Pieces of Love

Happy New Year!

Oh my! How did we get through another year so quickly AND--what do you remember about 2010? In looking back I am reminded that strong memories emerge from strong emotional experiences. Your 2010 memories are most likely linked to whatever strong emotional reactions you had this year.

As I get older memories seem to merge and I find that I cannot exactly remember which year a traumatic or joyful event occurred. However, I do have super-charged experiences etched somewhere in my mind----even if they are not on a specific time line. Frequently my children and others remind me of something and memories come flooding back. Can you imagine how many experiences are stored in our brains? I am grateful to the research pioneers who are dedicated to learning how this organ works. I do know from their research that I have some control over my thoughts and over what memories I choose to plant in my own gray matter. Repetition creates strong neural pathways.

With this in mind (pun intended) I choose 2011 to be a year that I fully emerge myself in the joyful and positive events in my life. I want to fully appreciate and create joyful experiences, reliving them through writing; consciously expressing gratitude for the flow and ebb of positivity in my life.

My 4 year old granddaughter recently sent me a thank you note with a lot of random dots and spots on the envelope. Her mother labeled these as "pieces of love" that this child told her she was sending to me. I have kept this envelope and posted it in my desk area. Each time I look at it, I feel the pieces of love wash over me and I am filled with gratitude.

As you navigate the challenges and stress in your life, I encourage you to focus on the pieces of love that pop up in your life in unexpected places. We know that gratitude journals and expressions of appreciation contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

My wish for you in the new year is that you experience pieces of love with amazing frequency and that these memories fill your heart and head for years to come.