I learned over the years that it is more important to create my own happiness rather than expect it to come from someone else. No one can fill the feelings of emptiness, loneliness and lack. I have to find it within myself.

I know I cannot feel gratitude when I have raging feelings of resentment, separation, and blame. I’ve trained myself to take a gratitude walk. I get out of the house and walk through the neighborhood or nearby park and take notice of the beauty and abundance around me.

We must be love to find love. When we feel love we appreciate the preciousness of life and all that life has to offer. When we are in a state of appreciation, we have a greater realization of our connection with God, can see the bigger picture of life, and that moves us into a greater experience of love.

Love transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary opportunities. Loving someone without wanting or needing anything is the greatest gift we can give. Loving and accepting someone unconditionally is like sending positive ions or invisible vitamins to them. Love blesses the giver and the receiver.

If I listen to someone’s story, make someone smile or perform a random act of kindness, I’ve sent love to that person. When they feel love, they will share it with someone in their circle of influence. The experience has a ripple effect, like a stone being tossed in the water. Not only have I sent love to another person, I have expanded the experience for myself.

Love is an inside job. It starts with letting go of the pain from the past. As we acknowledge and appreciate others, we begin to receive it ourselves. And it is contagious!

I was in a meditation class in a busy downtown area. The window was open and all I could hear was the busy traffic. The instructor was talking about quieting the mind and all I could hear was the busy traffic. She said find a place of peace and all I could hear was the traffic. It occurred to me that there was ‘noise’ was going on all the time in my mind—it wasn’t just the traffic. In that moment I was able to stop obsessing about the traffic and go within to find the silence.

Until we give ourselves space to be quiet and listen to the sounds around us we are caught up in someone else’s ideas. It’s wonderful to be able to relax with soothing music, be entertained or educated. But it is so important to take time to be in the silence. It gives us space to allow our own creativity to show up.

Take a few moments, close your eyes and breathe. You may notice the noise around you but as you continue to breathe, your shoulders relax, the mind chatter lessens and you are immersed in the silence. Breathe. Release. Enjoy the sounds of silence.

My aunt, Sister Mary Jeanette, celebrated her 95th birthday last week. I so admire her courage, commitment and strength. Her life is a story of faith.

When Sister Jeanette was a teenager, she heard the inner call to enter the convent.  When she told her parents her news, her father told her he did not have the money for her dowry needed to enter the convent. She left school and worked as a nanny and housekeeper until she earned enough for her dowry. When the time came for her to leave, my grandfather didn’t own a car, so he hired a driver to take them to Fall River, Massachusetts where she entered the order of Felician Franciscan Sisters.

It was two years before her family had the chance to see her again. Life in the convent was hard work. With no teaching experience, she was given a class of second graders to teach. Catholic schools were bursting at the seams in those days and it was not a surprise to find classroom sizes of 40 to 50 students. She learned quickly and excelled at teaching. She was sent to New York City and throughout the New England states to teach during her years of service. Many of her students stay in contact with her and share stories of their families and their lives.

Sister Jeanette has been in the Felician order for 72 years. Her story is one of surrender and love. She realized her calling early on and never questioned her decision or her devotion. She followed her heart to serve God and serve humanity.  There were times that were challenging but she has never lost faith.

Her life is a reminder to walk in faith at whatever we are called to do. Every job is an opportunity to serve humanity. Every task is an opportunity to express love. I am grateful for the blessing to learn from my aunt and to be inspired by her life of faith.