Letter from The Publisher
Jessica Coffey, Publisher
Dear Readers,
Who would have thought that we would be in this for a year
already?! If you are anything like me, you have been riding a rollercoaster of
emotions—anger, sadness, hope—any one day I can feel all of them. I simply
cannot wait until we turn the corner on this pandemic and can begin gathering
in bigger groups and socializing more frequently. If I have learned anything,
it has been the importance of human connection. Zoom has been wonderful, and I
am thankful for all of the technologies that connect us as no people in any
other time have been connected. But none of it replaces the power of human
touch—a hug, a hand held, gazing into another’s eyes when they are right there
with you ... So, as we patiently wait for that day to come when we can get more
of what we crave, I would like to encourage you to become more heart-minded. As
Sarah Blondin, Insight Timer meditation teacher and author of Heart Minded: How to
Hold Yourself and Others in Love, so aptly puts it …
We already know what it
feels like to be in our hearts. Although we may feel disconnected from it and
at times doubt ourselves, most often all we need to do to awaken it is become
still and quiet, and it will do the rest. When we draw our attention inward and
focus on our heart center, it will calm and reassure us, often instantly.
This may sound too good
to be true, but this is exactly what happens when we invite and allow it. When
we inhabit the heart, we awaken to our aliveness. We spontaneously arrive like
a bolt of lightning in the present moment and all our arguments against
ourselves and life go quiet. Goodness pushes up through the chaos of our
internal world and we feel lit from within by a light we had no idea was there.
At any time, no matter
where we are, no matter what we are doing, we can touch this place in ourselves
and activate the benefits of the heart space. Try practicing now by placing a
hand on your heart, breathe in and notice now this small act sends a message to
soften and disarm. It is that simple. It’s about shifting and moving ourselves
into this place of love and acceptance, allowing ourselves to be infused with
the consciousness of our heart.
If
we look within, most of us can identify a vision we have, an image of who we
want to become, an enhanced version of ourselves—something like You 2.0. This
image is often kinder, more loving, openhearted, accepting, inspired and
creative; it’s often less self-conscious and more gallant. This self doesn’t
succumb to
fear, anger or hardship and rises above everything with ease. This vision we
have in our mind’s eye is the best representation of our heart-minded selves.
It is the call of our heart.
When we see this
version as our potential rather than a reminder of our shortcomings, we can use
it as a way—a tool—to help us move in the direction of our light. Take time
throughout the day to bow our head and take three conscious breathes into our
heart. Let its current feed us. Remember we are wise. We are soft. We are
brave. Let all other noise stop. Re-enter the kingdom of our heart.
Breathe into your heart and
into this moment. Relax into yourself. And I encourage you to take advantage of
the change
in seasons to get outside more—move your body, get some fresh air and become
more connected with the healing powers of the natural world. Enjoy this issue and all it
has to offer, from articles about more natural farming methods and indoor
gardening to Earth Day and farmers’ markets. I encourage you to try something
new this month that will help you live a healthier life, and please support our
advertisers who can help inspire and facilitate positive change.
Happy Reading and Happy Spring,
