Reconnecting with Creativity: The She Dares Boldly 2024 Calendar Journey

2024 Calendar Cover — 11 x 6 inches

In the midst of uncertainty, I can sometimes become lost in the confusion and chaos. That’s why the February page for my 2024 She Dares Boldly calendar speaks so emphaticaly to me. “In the midst of chaos, she dares to create calm.”

In the midst of my uncertainty, I am choosing to create calm through creative expression.

Ms February

Which is why I’ve made a decision. After many request, I’ve chosen to overcome my hesitancy. The She Dares Boldly 2024 calendar is a definite “go.” This decision didn’t come easily, as I’ve found myself pulled in different directions and faced with unexpected obstacles. But now, with my newfound determination strengthening my spine, and calmness easing my pounding heart, I’m excited to share the journey of creating this calendar.

My hesitance to commit to the calendar project stemmed from several factors. Over the past few months, I haven’t spent much time in my studio. My work computer took over the space last spring, and the inconvenience of moving it every time I wanted to create became a bigger impediment than I initially thought. Plus, summer isn’t typically when I find myself in the studio.

However, as I began to compile the artwork for the calendar, reality struck: I need to produce five new images and quotes before I can send the calendar to the printer. This became my motivation to rekindle my creative spirit.

First things first, I relocated my work computer back to its original desk. It’s a small adjustment since my current contract ends at month’s end, and the computer will be moving along. This change cleared the way for the magic to happen.

Then came the weekend when two women emerged: Ms. February and Ms. June. These were not just months; they represented the rebirth of my creativity. The act of splashing paint, finger-painting, layering colors, and textures ignited my soul. It was a soul-nourishing experience, one that reminded me of the sustaining power of creative expression.

Ms. June

I had forgotten.

Creative expression is a gift—one we can choose to use or lose. The beauty of art-making is that you don’t actually lose the ability; you merely forget how vital it is for mental health and well-being.

I had forgotten.

But over two days of playful interaction with paint, I was once again immersed, feeling alive, refreshed, and replenished. Yet, there’s a challenge ahead: discipline. Alongside preparing the calendar for printing, I need to tackle marketing tasks to ensure it’s ready for the holiday season. Simultaneously, I don’t want to lose momentum on the play I started writing during my time in Ireland. Additionally, there are a few loose ends to tie up for the not-for-profit I’ve been working with before my contract concludes.

Discipline becomes a fragile concept, especially when I’m immersed in the studio. However, knowing what I’m working toward and what it means to me to achieve my goals is essential.

For me, releasing my calendars (and any creative output for that matter) into the world brings immense joy. I relish the way people respond to them, how the quotes attached to the images resonate with them. It fills my heart with joy.

And so, I return full circle to the calendars.

Creating them brings me joy.

And that’s a wonderful thing!

Stay tuned for more updates on the She Dares Boldly 2024 calendar—it’s eager to make its mark on the world!

Autumn Symphony: A Dance of Renewal

Autumn – that enchanting season where Mother Earth gently reminds us of life’s cyclical nature: the ebb and flow of endings and beginnings, of birth and decay and renewal.

Sir Beaumont of Sheepadoodle and I are walking along a ridge above the river. With each step we take take, leaves crunch and whisper stories beneath our feet. Sunbeams dance on the river, making the water come alive with a joyous shimmer.

The world moves, yet in this moment, it feels still.

As Beaumont and I meander along the ridge above the river, the vast eastern sky stretches out, painted in hues of serene blue streaked with white clouds billowing up. To the west, an impending storm, threatening to draw into the vast blueness above us. The wind howls gathers strength. Golden leaves dance on the ground, the crisp autumn breeze urging them to let go and release their bodies to its beguiling nature..

As we walk, we chance upon a woman, her camera ready to capture nature’s magic. Further along, a couple stand, their arms heavy with fishing gear. “Any luck?” I ask. “Too late in the season,” they respond. But their lack of fishing success didn’t deter Beau. Eager for affection, he dances and whines with his eternal request to, “Pet me. Pet me.” The man happily obliges, and for a brief moment, two strangers connect over a shared love for a dog.

The journey continues. My hair dances to the rhythm of the wind, and the distinctive sounds of autumn serenad us. I take a deep, invigorating breath, basking in the sheer vitality of the moment.

We venture east, then turn back towards the west, where the approach of ominous clouds cast a shadow over the mountains in the distance.

And then, as if a painter has suddenly hurled white paint against a dark canvas, divine rays of light break through, painting the sky with celestial elegance. “Look at that,” I whisper to Beau, awed by the spectacle.

I stand and watch and soak it in and that’s when I hear it. Above the familiar sounds of the ridge before a storm, a new melody emerges as if carried on a magic carpet out of the darkness of the western skies – the soulful cry of a violin.

Curious, I hurry westward.

And there, atop the ridge, stands a figure. Dressed in sleek black lycra with a vivid yellow jacket, he stands next to a resting bike, a violin nestled against his neck. An open backpack, a music stand with sheets pinned to its frame, the papers fluttering in the breeze, large headphones that seem out of place in this natural setting. Yet, lost in his music, the world around him ceases to exist.

Beau, ever the curious canine, continues exploring, but I am spellbound. The violinist’s passionate performance feels like a mystical bubble of wonder, resonating with the very essence of the serene landscape around.

Each note of his song brushes against my soul, speaking awe in every fibre of my being.

Eyes closed, he plays oblivious to my presence. I stand and listen and close my eyes and soak it all in.

Like light streaming through the clouds, gracing the world with beauty and wonder, his notes embrace me with the magic of a moment where man, nature and music became one symphonic dance of joy.

I open my eyes and walk on, back towards my car. Back towards home.

And still, no matter where I go, I carry the music with me.

Namaste.

Change: Are you willing?

This morning, in the quiet of meditation, a profound question surfaced. “Aside from what Mother Nature creates, everything else on this planet Earth that we call our home has been built by humankind. If we don’t like what we’ve created, what are we willing to do to change it?”

We live in a world that is largely our own creation – a complex tapestry woven from the threads of human ingenuity, creativity, and ambition. It’s in our nature to be creators. From the simplest of tools used by our ancestors to the sophisticated technologies of more recent decades, we have always found ways to shape the world around us, molding it to better serve our needs, desires and aspirations.

Yet, our creations aren’t always perfect. We’ve built towering cities that touch the sky, but at the cost of pristine forests and ecosystems. We’ve developed incredible technologies that connect us instantaneously, yet we often feel more isolated than ever. We’ve striven for efficiency and convenience, only to find ourselves bound by the chains of consumerism, a consumerism that too often gives rise to a deep-seated dissatisfaction with what we have, and what we have not.

Which brings me back to the question that arose in my meditation. “What are we willing to do when we don’t like what we’ve built?”

It’s not an easy thought. There are parts of me that are willing to let go of things, ways of doing and being that don’t serve the world. But, let’s be honest here, there are also parts that don’t want to let go of the things that make my life easier. The things I really like. Like electricity, driving my car, flying places, new clothes, a well-stocked fridge, a mindset of discarding things I don’t need only to replace them by ‘newer, better, bigger’..

This morning as I gaze out at a perfect blue sky day, I wonder, “What am I truly willing to change?”

In August, C.C. and I will be driving to the west coast to visit family and friends. Taking gifts for my grandchildren fills my heart with joy. Yet, they already have a wealth of toys, books, clothes, THINGS. Am I willing to forgo my consumerism to simpy be present within the joy of our connection?

Am I willing to change for the better of the planet?

Given the state of the world today, do I have a choice not to?

Embracing the idea of change can feel unsettling, but it’s crucial for our planet today, and for my peace of mind.

In this world of floods, raging wildfires, war, hunger and starvation, isn’t it time to challenge the status quo and push our boundaries? Isn’t it time we all advocate for sustainable practices to conserve our environment, promote genuine human connection over virtual interactions, or resist the incessant pull of mindless consumerism?

If not now, when?

Individually, there is a lot we can each do. And if we each start doing similar things, we have a chance to create collective action that does make a difference. Because, the kind of changes Planet Earth needs us to make do not occur in isolation. It’s going to take a collaborative effort, requiring us to bridge our differences, pool our resources, and unify our goals. It may demand sacrifices and require us to forgo certain comforts, but if the end goal is a world that is sustainable, a world that aligns more closely with our true desires for life on earth, then the effort is surely worth it.

Which brings me back to the question that arose from my meditation: What are we willing to do to change the world we’ve built if we don’t like it?

It is not just a passing thought. It’s an urgent call to action. If we can learn anything from our past, it’s that we are the architects of our own reality. We have the power to dismantle the structures we’ve built and create something far better in its stead.

Our willingness to change is the first step towards a more harmonious and sustainable future.

Are you willing?

Namaste

Thoughts By A Mountain Pond

Does this work? I write the question at the top of my empty journal page. The answer follows effortlessly – It all works. Sitting on a bench beside the tranquil waters of a pond. Mountains reflected on their surface. A duck floating along the water. Sounds of the mountain town of Canmore all around. Life is full of wonder and awe.

High above, a periwinkle blue sky dotted with cotton candy clouds stretches out like a dreamy watercolour landscape, white clouds blending seamlessly into sky, mountains soaring tall and proud, their peaks piercing the sky like spears of stone.

In the midst of this tranquil moment, my thoughts drift through my mind like the clouds floating by above me. I am witness to the beauty of this earth and still, thoughts of the impact of our human actions on earth’s delicate ecosystem darken the edges. In standing so tall and proud, have the jagged peaks of these mountains inadvertently contributed to the holes in the ozone layer, I wonder? Does Mother Nature mourn the damage we humans inflict upon her intricate tapestry of life on earth, day after day? Or, like her mountain guardians, does she steadfastly weave a blanket of healing in her endless quest to stitch earth back together, despite our efforts to keep taking her creations undone?

My pen stills upon the journal page. I stop and take a breath, inhaling all the beauty that surrounds me. The warm mountain air against my skin. The gentle breeze caressing my hair. The still waters of the pond and the solid earth beneath my feet.

Breathing out, I whisper a silent prayer of gratitude for this present moment. This quiet interlude in a day that will witness the binding together of two people in Love. A day that holds promise, possibility and the potential for so much joy, laughter, happiness and wedded bliss.

Moments like these are meant to be lived through with an open heart, an open mind, and a sense of openness to the world around us.

I inhale once more, an overwhelming sense of joy embraces my entire being. Exhale. The world seems to breathe in harmony with my presence.

In that fleeting moment, peace envelopes me, assuring me that all is well with my soul.

I breathe in again, the moment passes like the river flowing into the pound. In. Out. Continuing on.

And stil, the moment lingers, A gentle reminder of the beauty and wonder that coexist with the dark and threatening in this world.

I cannot change the darkness in this world, but I can be a beacon of hope in its midst.

I can choose to share kindness, spread joy, love and compassion wherever I go.

And who knows? Perhaps my light will inspire others to shine their own until, together, our light shines so bright, the darkness recedes and the world is illuminated in the human magnificence of our lights shining bright.

Yes. Sitting here by a pond on a beautiful June morning, the possibility of that light feels as real as the mountains standing guard over Mother Nature’s exquisite beauty.

And in this ehemeral moment, I imagine that all of humankind stops, takes a breath and reflects on the beauty and awe in this world. And in that collective thought, our light grows so brilliant, we transform darkness into light.

And so it is.

P.S. – I wrote this post in my journal yesterday morning on my walk along the river and then through Canmore.

The wedding was later in the day. 16 people gathered together to witness the vows of two souls joining as one.

It was, a beautiful day.

___________________________

Scenes from yesterday:

Flourishing where you’re planted: A lesson from the garden

I’m not known for my gardening expertise. Growing up in Germany, the gardeners who tended to my parent’s yard kindly asked me not to assist them after I mistakenly pulled out flowers instead of weeds from the rock garden. Their request left an impression on me and stunted my desire to gardening career.

I’ve always stuck to planting pots, avoiding the complexities of full-fledged gardens. However, one year, I mustered the courage to dig up a patch of grass in our backyard and create a flower garden. I was proud of my efforts, but it didn’t last long. Our mischievous Golden Retriever, Ellie, and the squirrels she loved to chase through the yard, wreaked havoc, erasing most of my labours and leaving only fallen leaves and petals. I took it as a sign that I should stick to pots.

In the summer of 2020, the year my mother passed away, a generous neighbor gifted me three beautiful purple irises from her garden. With my trowel in hand, and trepidation in my heart, I plunked them into the earth the giant fir tree in our frontyard. I’d occassionally water them, poke around and pull out weeds at their stems, and pray a lot for their survival.

Fast forward two years, and those three irises have multiplied into a stunning display. A neighbor across the street even remarked that I must have a green thumb. I chuckled and corrected her, confessing that I simply have resilient plants.

Life is a lot like that. We find ourselves planted in the garden bed of our family, or something resembling it. The caretakers of that garden do their best, wrestling with their own self-doubts and limiting beliefs about being parents or ability to function in an often unfriendly world.

We take root. We reach for the sun. We navigate the sometimes daunting mystery of the garden of our life, where the path ahead is obscured.

And yet, we continue to grow.

Our growth may face obstacles—a lack of nourishment, care, or support. But still, we dig deep, anchor ourselves, spread our roots and expand.

My irises flourish not because of my expertise or nurturing (remember, my limiting belief tells me I’m not a gardener). They thrive despite my lack of gardening prowess because they seize any opportunity to grow. Survival is their instinct, and that’s precisely what they’ve done.

I cherish these irises. They serve as a potent reminder of life’s beauty and mysteries. They also bear my mother’s namesake, connecting me to her enduring spirit of kindness and her desire to always see the beauty in all things.

Moreover, they invite me to confront my own limiting beliefs about gardening – and other things too. They challenge me to dig into those beliefs, uproot the weeds of doubt, and allow myself to flourish right where I’m planted.

How’s the garden of your life today? Are you tending to it with loving care? Are you uprooting weeds and watering the flowers?

Or, are you letting limiting beliefs keep you rooted in the muds of past mistakes and dead end adventures?

Is it time to let nature have its way and flourish right where you’re planted?

Namaste

STILL – A MORNING SONG

Morning’s song awakens me. Outside my bedroom windows, birds chirp a happy song into the silence of dawn’s awakening, as if in welcoming back the light, they are singing praises to earth’s indefatigable journey around the sun.

It is early. Night still lingers and I lay still. Cocooned in my bed, the gentle breathing of my beloved quietly measuring the moments of awakening with their steady thrum.

Quietly, I slip from between the covers, pad barefoot into the kitchen, turn on the light above the stove, the halo of its soft glow casting back the shadows from where I begin my morning ritual of making coffee.

The world feels quiet outside the safe enclosure of our home. I have not yet read the news, not yet caught up on the happenings, out there, somewhere beyond the security of these four walls.

I cling to the silence. Wrap myself in the stillness and savour these last few moments of serene calm.

The world can wait.

For now, morning light beckons me to sink into contemplation. To slowly release night’s lingering shadows into dawn’s early light.

I breathe.

Deep.

Still, I wait.

Still, I let the world’s woes recede as I sit embraced within dawn’s soft silent light.

Dawn's Unfurling
©2023 Louise Gallagher

Still
morning waits
cerulean sky
stretched out
reaching for the light
above leafy branches
waiting
still
for the sun’s
welcome kiss
to caress green fronds
still
waiting
to unfurl
beyond where I sit

waiting
still
in dawn’s early light
awakening
birdsong
chases away
night’s lingering shadows
pressing back against
dawn's approach.

still
waiting
I sit
in silent communion
wrapped within 
dawn’s early light
unfurling
across a cerulean sky.

Isn’t Life Grand?

I woke up feeling lighter this morning. Excited to greet the day.

In the cozy embrace of my bed, I reveled in the serenity and tranquility that enveloped me, basking in a delightful sense of lightness.

Then, I rose and entered our ensuite, and was greeted by the sight of last night’s pep-talk on the mirror.

“Ah, that’s right,” whispered my mind. “You’ve got this.”

A smile spread across my face. Indeed, I do.

For the second night in a row, I had almost talked myself out of writing on the mirror before bedtime. The search for my glass-writing crayons seemed like a daunting task, potentially leading to the upheaval of my studio. But then, a brilliant solution dawned on me—I remembered keeping a set of gold and silver crayons in the kitchen drawer, reserved for those moments when I wanted to help guests keep track of their glasses.

Problem solved.

Mission accomplished.

This morning, I reveled in the rewards of honoring my commitment. And, because I know deep down that “I’ve got this” (primarily concerning the book I’m writing, but with additional benefits as well), after embarking on Beaumont the Sheepadoodle’s first early morning saunter (thankfully, the smoke has diminished, enhancing both the visibility and enjoyment), I strolled into the kitchen and whipped up a batch of scones, four dozen chocolate chip cookies, and tidied away all the dishes—all before 8 am!

What a marvelous way to kickstart my day—feeling invigorated and empowered. It simply required following through on a commitment I made to myself — the added benefit is my beloved has treats to greet him this morning and I have sweet delights to share with a dear friend who recently underwent a knee replacement. The first week of her recovery has been challenging, and now I have the chance to brighten her day with homemade delights infused with love and gratitude for our friendship.

Isn’t life simply grand?

Evenning Rituals

I have a fondness for rituals. They act as my anchors, keeping me steady and in the flow. They forge a connection to something beyond myself, a collective unconscious that intertwines us all.

One of my treasured bedtime rituals is the “3 Things” practice. It serves as a serene reflection on my day, guiding me towards calm, gratitude, and a sense of flow. Before slipping into sleep, I embrace three aspects for which I’m grateful, three moments of grace that touched my day, and three dreams I wish to carry into the realm of dreams and write them down in my journal.

Recently, I introduced a fourth ritual that precedes my “3 Things” practice—I write down three worries, things that haven’t pleased me, or instances where I could have ‘performed ‘done better’. Once penned, I crumple up that piece of paper and toss it into the wastebasket.

This act of discarding is symbolic, urging me to release the self-limiting narratives I tell myself—the thoughts that hold me back and hinder my moving freely through each moment. By throwing them away, I relinquish the power they hold over me.

Yesterday, I had a heartfelt conversation with a kindred spirit—a beautiful soul seeking ways to rise above the darkness, to believe in their own luminous heart. We explored uplifting ideas, discussing what they were doing or not doing to stay in the light.

During our conversation, I shared a personal practice of mine: leaving love notes to myself on the bathroom mirror using washable glass crayons. “I haven’t actually done it in quite awhile,” I confessed. We agreed it was a good time to ‘begin again’. Always begin again.

As we talked about the love-notes on the mirror further, we came up with another idea. Before going to bed, write yourself a ‘pep-talk’ on the mirror. That way, the first thing you read in the morning will be your pep-talk.

What a great way to start a day, we both agreed and committed to do it.

Later, as I followed my nightly rituals, I remembered my commitment to give it a go. Already in bed, I chose not to go downstairs to my studio to fetch my glass-writing pens. It was more effort than I felt like expending in that moment and like Scarlett O’Hara, who famously said, ‘I’ll think about that tomorrow,’ I gave myself an excuse to not do the thing I needed to do to care for myself in the moment.

And that’s how easy it is to neglect the commitments that nurture our souls. It’s as simple as granting ourselves permission to deviate from our own journey, evading accountability and disregarding the actions that empower us to live boldly and be our best selves.

It may not seem like a significant transgression—I reassured myself this morning. But is that really true?

What if it isn’t solely about failing to fulfill a commitment, but rather, that this “not doing” forms a habit of disregarding the actions that nurture and love myself?

What if, in the act of “not doing,” I unconsciously tell myself that I’m not worth fighting for? That I’m not deserving of my own commitment?

You see, it’s not that I don’t want to engage in those practices—it’s the message my brain receives in the act of “not doing.”

What a fascinating awakening this morning. Not only do I have an opportunity to do better, I’ve also effortlessly identified one of my three things to write-down on the list of thoughts I refuse to carry with me into my dreams tonight.

I am grateful to have woken up to this chance to create a better world within myself today. It serves as a reminder that every journey comprises small steps—each step propelling us either closer to the state of being we desire or further away from our optimal selves. Last night, I took a step away from my desired state.

Some may argue it wasn’t a big deal. Yet, what if the significance lies not in the specific act I failed to complete but in how this “not doing” becomes a habit of neglecting the nurturing and loving things I know are vital for my well-being?

Let this morning’s revelation be a catalyst—an opportunity to cultivate a deeper sense of self-worth, commitment, and conscious participation in my personal growth.

One word at a time

May 1. A new month. Spring is bursting with its giddy desire to show off its finery and bloom.

And I am feeling the pull of memory.

It is May. The month I was set free, 20 years ago this May 21st.

I don’t often think, nor write, about those days, but this month, I plan on writing a bit more often about the recovery from that darkness. About how I made it back into the light.

It’s really simple, my decision to do this. I have begun to write my book about this healing journey called life.

Over the weekend, I created a working title — it helps me focus my writing. Love Yourself First: A simple guide to healing the past so you can live now in love.

I’ve identified my target audience – older adults 55+ and crafted an outline. Noted Key Themes to guide me, drafted each chapter outline and did some research on some of the topics I want to discuss: Things like, Our human need for love. The role of belonging. The importance of bravery. The need to continuously deepen self knowledge, the power of letting go, the value of resilience, the gifts of healing the past and the acceptance of imperfection.

I feel ready. Excited. Motivated.

I’ve got a writing buddy, *thank you Linh) and a Daily Intention buddy (thank you Jane) and, I’ve got a deep desire to ‘get it all out’ – One Word At A Time.

Years ago, when I was released from that relationship that was killing me, I awoke to the grim reality of the devestation that relationship had caused in my life and the lives of those who loved me. I had seventy-two cents in my pocket, a few clothes and my Golden Retriever, Ellie. And I had people who loved me who were hurt and angry. I had betrayed the sacred trust of motherhood. I had betrayed myself and everyone who cared for me with the lies I had lived while in that relationship.

I was broken.

I was blessed.

My sister and her husband gave me a home, a safe refuge to weather the aftermath of the storm. Everyday, Ellie, who had travelled the final two years of that journey with me, and I would walk into the woods at the end of the street where my sister lived and I would breathe deeply in the freedom of walking without ‘his’ voice repeating over and over again in my head all the reasons why I didn’t deserve to live, all the ways I had failed him and was a failure as a human being.

As I walked, I remember thinking of the problems I had to face. The burden of finding a solution to their totality weighed me down. They looked so big. So daunting. So over-whelming. To give myself peace, I would look up into the limitless blue of the sky overhead and whisper to the heavens, “Okay Universe. Here’s the deal. Can you please carry the burden of what I must do so that I can focus on doing one thing today that will bring me closer to my goal of healing and reconnecting with my daughters? Will you please carry the load so that I can breathe freely and take one small step each day towards reclaiming my life.”

One small step. It was all I needed to take to keep myself moving forward on the healing path. Healing didn’t have a destination. It had a journey that could only be taken – one small step at a time.

Twenty years ago, walking in the woods, as soon as I asked the universe to carry the load, the burden lifted. I would feel lighter, more peaceful and calm. And in my renewed strength, I could take the next small step I needed to take to heal. And that one small step became a path of steps leading me away from the turmoil and pain of what had happened with him, into the joy of what was happening in my life without him.

Success isn’t necessarily found in the big leap, the giant step over the mountain. Success is found in the small things we do each and every day to walk our talk, walk our path of integrity, honesty and truth. Success is found in the grace and ease with which we overcome obstacles, embrace tribulations and infuse each moment with love and joy.

Success is found in living each moment filled with the rapture of now. It’s discovered as we let go of regret, recriminations, self-loathing and a host of other internal roadblocks that hold us back from living in the light. It’s found when we keep expressing our gratitude and joy in living this one life now, arms wide open, heart beating wildly to the drum of our one unique song – the song we each possess that only we know and all the world can hear when we boldly choose to sing it out loud and fierce.

This weekend, I wrote an outline for a book I have been thinking about writing for a long time.

It was one small step followed by others. Word by word, the book will appear and as it appears, I will better understand what its path to success looks like. For today, I shall celebrate the success each word brings..

Namaste

To Know Love…

We humans have an inate desire to know love. To feel it and be loved and loving.

Love carries with effortless ease our desires for belonging. Our need to feel like we fit in, like we have a place and purpose in this world. And despite our insistence ‘Love doesn’t come cheap, or isn’t free’, Love and asks nothing of us in return.

And still, too often, we fight its ways. We resist its presence and defend our hearts against our fears of being hurt by someone else’s love, reminding ourselves of all the ways others have hurt us in the past, as if memory can defend us against Love..

None of us love perfectly. We have that oh so human tendency to judge, criticise and blame. We tell stories on another’s imperfect love and how they hurt us without seeing that in our own beautiful imperfectly loving ways, we too have hurt others, and ourselves.

To know Love, to feel it, to be in its soul-filling flow, we must stop defending our hearts against our fear of what might happen, or could happen, or our self-assured belief WILL happen, if we let love in.

To know LOVE we must allow ourselbves to pull down the walls around our hearts and dance with joyful abandon in the freedom to see ourselves through Love’s eyes. In Love’s eyes, it is not our imperfections that count. It is our willingness to stand naked in Love’s light and let our beautiful imperfect human being shine bright for all the world to see, we are a reflection of Love’s beauty.