When the Christmas gifts had all been opened, the sugar cookies just about gone . . . when my sons and my sister had returned to their homes, my father-in-law to his . . . the holiday linens washed, the dogs asleep with memories of a full house and beef tenderloin dancing in their noggins – I lay on the couch and thought about what it meant to have an open heart in 2007.
On 9/11/01, I was to be, in the morning, at the World Trade Center. I slept in. Every year since then seems to be a gift to me. It’s amazing to me how much time has passed since that sunny fall morning when my sister, Joan, my son, Bryce, and I were in Manhattan. Three Ohioans there on a big trip away from home. We returned with a story of unbelievable luck. My heart did not feel too open at that time.
On 12/30/05, I nearly died when I had an allergic reaction to CT dye during a trip to the emergency room for chest pains. I spent New Year’s Eve alone, hugging my two dogs, Jackie and Tyler, near to me, feeling so much love and appreciation for their presence. “They would have missed me if I’d died,” I thought, in a way only sad, empty-nest women can whine after Christmas is over and there are no special plans for New Year’s.
In 2007, I wrote a book, married, moved into a new home and found more happiness and peace than I’d ever known. I had to find a new home for three of my parrots, but I opened my heart to my husband’s dog, Farley, and found yet another sweet canine soul to love and to be needed by. 2007 brought many opportunities to change, to grow, to reflect. It wasn’t a perfect year, but it was a full year and my heart and mind were open.
This is a conscious decision for me, though, this keeping the heart and mind open. I’m an introvert by nature, and, at times in my life it has seemed so much easier to fold in on myself. To close doors, to stay in, to live a small life; never stretching, never passing Go. But, in the long run, like Meryl Streep’s character said in “One True Thing,” “It is so much easier to be happy.” My mother has always encouraged me to “get out more.” She was right. Getting out more opens our hearts, and home seems that much better, our lives that much richer.
This year, I encourage you to open your heart. Need specific instructions? Purchase one of DreamTime Publishing’s new books on a subject that appeals to you. They have many in the Open Your Heart Series – from pets, to writing, to singing, to skiing, to geocaching, to basketball, to gardening, and more.
Begin to say yes! Begin to think “I can!” Decide “I will.” After all, that’s all the New Year’s Resolution any of us really needs.
Happy New Year!
Janice Phelps, Author of “Open Your Heart with Pets: Mastering Life through Love of Animals.”
Posted by: Opening the heart — jphelps
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