Where In The World Is Your Heart?

HIH On Facebook!

HEART IS HOT on Facebook

Thursday, February 26, 2009

A Monumental Day!


In the spirit of Heart Awareness month, I now want to share with you Part 2 of the internal kind of awareness of the heart between mother and son. Jordan and Lyle completely represent the energy and full capacity of the power of the heart. Their journey will touch you. It sure did me. Thanks for your emails saying you could not wait for this week's conclusion! Enjoy.

From February 27, 2008

Today, ladies and gentlemen, something absolutely monumental took place at Chez Wonderwheel!

As you may know, my little guy has been having all sorts of separation issues lately, and you'll recall that I gave him the lovely glass heart to hang onto when I'm at work.

Words cannot do justice to the difference that heart has made. He separates in the morning without tears, he brings it to preschool and hides it in his cubby. He sleeps with it under his pillow. At night, when each of the boys picks a song "theme" for me to sing to them (I improvise a song based on their theme of choice to the same tune every night), he has been asking me to sing a song about "heart". (Baxter? "Pokemon.")

The heart seemed to set the stage for his successful participation in Advanced Separation 301, allowing me an unheard of transition in and out of our home when I went to both Minneapolis and San Francisco last week. Truly, it was a breeze - Lyle was perfectly happy while I was away both times and did not even make me pay for my absence upon my return! This is nothing short of miraculous.

But all of that - all of it - was a drop in the bucket compared to today. Because this boy, this child who has been completely unable to take a nap on the days we're home together (Tues/Thurs) for many months now - despite the fact that he'll nap 2-3 hours for everyone else - declared during lunch that he was tired and ready to nap as if it were the most natural thing in the world. As if separating from me by slipping into unconsciousness for a couple of hours wasn't a horrifying thought all of a sudden!

Furthermore, he willingly napped even when I explained that, due to the late start of this unexpected nap, I would have to leave the house soon to pick up his brother at school. This meant that I was going to have to leave the child monitor with our (very familiar) neighbor across the hall. He was cool with this. I showed him how, when he woke up, if I didn't come down when he called, he was to talk into the monitor and tell the neighbor he was awake because it meant I wasn't home yet. And still - he remained unfazed. He thought this was peachy keen, and hoped he'd get to go play with her daughter and maybe pet the cats.

Huh?

So wait - not only would he separate from me and take a nap, but it was actually okay with him if I left the house during his nap and left him in the care of a neighbor, knowing that I may or may not be here when he woke up?!

Oh. my. God.

I tucked him in with the monitor close by and heart #55 resting in his sweet little hand, and walked carefully upstairs, sitting stock still on the couch for 10 minutes and steeling myself for the sound of his feet pounding upstairs after me, realizing he wanted to come with me to get his brother, or that he would miss me too much, didn't want a nap after all.

But he did it. He fell asleep. A deep sleep that lasted until I came home with Baxter, whose pounding feet woke him. But I didn't care. Because he slept for TWO HOURS! On my watch!

There's something to be said for a child's positive experience of being without mama for a few days and realizing that everything is still okay. She calls, she brings presents, and she always comes back.

I'm going out of town more often. That's all there is to it.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Nothin' Like Momma's Heart


In the spirit of Heart Awareness month, I want to share with you Part 1 of an internal kind of awareness of the heart between mother and son. Jordan and Lyle completely represent the energy and full capacity of the power of the heart. Their journey will touch you. It sure did me. Wait until you get the follow up next week!

From February 7, 2008

My little one, my Lyle, hss been struggling lately with big, challenging emotions that he doesn't always know how to express, despite his many words. It's easy to be loud, he's discovered, loud and bossy and angry; not so easy to say, "Mommy, I miss you. I'm sad when you to go to work. Please stay home and play with me."

I chatted with my wonderful friend Kristen about this sad subject a few nights ago, and she (as you'd expect if you know her) was full of fantastic ideas, many of which I know I've heard before (and even suggested to others!) but needed to hear again myself at this very moment in time, about this very child. I'm so grateful that she took the time to help me with this when I needed it.

And so along came this morning. Lyle has been reading Dinofours books like they're going out of style (which is technically the case - they're out of print but you can still buy them used for really cheap on amazon!) and is subsequently finding the language to share his sad feelings with me far more readily than he has with any other strategy I've tried. So today he approached me, took me by the hand and bravely said, "Mommy, don't go to work yet. I want to play with you some more." And cried.

Now, to many of you, this probably seems heart-breaking. To me, it's just a little bit heart-warming, but only because I've been waiting for him to open up and say what's in his little heart, rather than showing me through unpleasant behaviors that only left me guessing.

I immediately employed two new strategies. First, I asked him if he'd like to call me on the phone after lunch so that we could talk to each other. His little eyes lit right up through his tears and he said, "Yes!" So I arranged this with the babysitter.

But then I suggested that I could also give him something special of mine to hold today when he's missing me. Now this idea he LOVED. "What is it?" he asked, following me to my bedroom as I searched the top of my dresser (didn't I used to have some shells or special rocks up there?). "Oh, it's really, really special," I replied with excitement, as I came up empty-handed and tried to hide my worry.

And then it hit me: the HEART! My Heart is Hot heart! Didn't I say I felt it was almost time to pass it along to someone, but I didn't know who it was for?

It was for Lyle. Of course it was.

Child of my heart.

Child who wants to be with me every moment of every day and night, who carries around a sadness under the surface so much of the time because I'm either not going to be with him later, or wasn't home earlier in the day, or might not show up in his dreams that night.

I gave Lyle my heart.

I filled it with hugs and kisses and all my Mama love, and then handed it to him before I left with instructions to hold onto it when he was missing me.

For the first time in a few weeks, there were no tears when I left the house. He held the pretty glass heart all day long. It sat next to him at every meal, and was under his pillow as he napped. It was in his hands when I came home from work early due to a snowstorm, and he continued to hold onto it as we read books and played cars together all afternoon. "I love my heart," he told me before bed, "it's so pretty. And it has even more than your hugs and kisses in it. It has all these little red things!", noting the flecks of color inside.

"That's all my love, sweetie. That part is the love."

-Jordan

To read more of Jordan's life journey, check out her blog here.

With love,
Sahara

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Discovery's Planet Green Takes An Interest of the Heart






We were so fortunate to receive such wonderful exposure this week. If you missed our newsletter,
here is the link to the full article. Please vote to keep us on their favorites!

With love,
Sahara

The Oneness of Spirit

This story clearly represents the HIH spirit of oneness.....as reflected below.
Enjoy, and Happy Valentine's Day.
With love,
Sahara

HEART 1305, JOURNEY 1

Laura in Santa Cruz, CA, USA
I received the heart today, the day before Valentine's Day. I bought it to give to my amazing girlfriend, Cassie. We met in late August 2007. One of the first things I noticed about her is her sincerity of spirit. She is honest and loving, truly a good person, with a refreshing purity of heart. I love the life we have made together, with our pets, in our welcoming home, in our encouraging community. I know that she will appreciate what this heart symbolizes - a kind environment and a sense of Oneness. Happy Valentine's Day, Cass! xoxoxo


Thursday, February 12, 2009

Have A Heart. Everyday.

A woman approached me recently with the idea of purchasing hearts for an entire school that helps support her autistic son. I was so taken by the gesture, first of all, and geared up to get those hearts to them by Valentine's Day. She politely told me that it did NOT need to happen by Valentine's Day and that she actually preferred it to occur a bit afterward. I paused...and got it. Deeply. She went on to say that Valentine's Day is a spectacular day to share love with those special ones in your life. But, the love that lives inside us should be shared every day of the year, not just on a specifically marked holiday that encourages us to do so. I understood from the bottom of my very own heart. She also went on to tell me that she feels that every single person associated with the school needs to be recognized. That means teachers, admin staff, cooks and cleaning staff.

I truly find her attitude so beautifully refreshing and "the way it should be" in my opinion. We all play such a vital role here on this planet, whatever our "job" may be. So let's take a moment to thank all those playing their gorgeously orchestrated roles that enrich not only our life, but the lives of others. And ahem (that's a clearing the throat sound)......don't forget yourself.

Ok, and speaking of those playing their roles.....Check this out! I received the most extraordinary email late last night. It was from Australia, so it as a much more decent hour there than here! A woman named Heather inquired about purchasing hearts for the other ICU nurses on her team in Melbourne. You see, those nurses are clearly working overtime due to the tragic fires occurring there. Here is what she said:

"I think it is so beautiful to pass them from hand to hand. Heart Heirlooms! I'm an ICU nurse and these are going to ICU nurses in Melbourne who have been dealing with injured and burnt victims and who need healing for themselves. Bless you. Heather"

Well Heather, Bless you...and the other nurses. May the hearts represent a moment of healing there that is so very needed. All who are reading this send their love and support your way, and we look forward to hearing the voice of each of those hearts speak through story. Your stories are our stories. Truly.

So, let us have a heart. Everyday. And remember the power and responsibility each of us possesses to live to the fullest each moment by following our own hearts. It is our birthright...so take it. May we participate in our own lives by deeply supporting ourselves and others every day of the year. And by all means, have the happiest, most romantic or quiet Valentine's Day you have ever had. Live it up...live it down. Just be sure to live it COMPLETELY.

With love,
Sahara

Friday, February 6, 2009

The Ultimate Employer!

I was touched by heart #216 this morning as the feelings of giving back and paying love forward are so beautifully blended into the simplicity of gratitude. Thank you Mary for our Friday inspiration.
Enjoy everyone.
With love,
Sahara


Heart 216, Journey 2
Mary
in
Seattle, WA, USA Friday, February 7, 2009
I received heart #216 from my former boss, Will Ludlam. It was so fitting he would be drawn to participate in Heart Is Hot because this is a man who truly lives from his heart. One of the many things I admire most about him is the degree to which he meaningfully connects with others. No matter how rushed he may be, he makes the time to do so. And when he recognizes someone in need, his first words are, "What can I do to help?" He is genuine in his concern for the well-being and success of others, and I am so grateful I had the chance to work for him and that I may also call him my friend!

It brings me great joy to now gift this heart to my dearest friend, Chris Luke, on her 45th birthday because I want her to know how much I love and appreciate her!

We met many years ago when I lived for a brief time in the SF Bay Area. As I got to know Chris I was drawn to her gentle disposition and the twinkle in her eyes. I loved listening to her talk about issues she cared passionately about and with her unique perspective she further opened my mind. I was amazed by her smarts and non-stop inquisitiveness, and I especially enjoyed her delightful sense of humor! Around her I was captivated and giddy, and so grateful for our connection. But not long after we became good friends I moved to another state and eventually we fell out of touch. But years later we reconnected and it was the most amazing reunion! Not only was it wonderful to catch up with my long lost friend but we learned our lives had taken parallel paths. We discovered we'd experienced similar circumstances and suddenly our recognition and understanding of the other was especially deep and this became personally healing. Even more meaningful was to realize our world-views and spiritual paths had evolved and converged at the same place as well. Since then over the years we've had fascinating conversations--always involving the meaning of life and so much more--with the dialog getting more and more interesting the further down the rabbit hole we go!

Chris, I'm so grateful for your deep insights, fresh perspectives, and unending questions, your pureness of heart and wonderful sense of humor. Thank you for being there through life's ups and downs. I cherish and love you so much!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Heart 1206 brings 1986 back to life!


This heart has within it 4 years of memories that will no doubt last a lifetime. Its called Alief Hastings Class of 1986 from Houston, Texas. Ah yes, high school. A time most of us cherish on some level, and certainly a time to look back on with laughs....and perhaps the occasional tear. And I know some of you out there would rather forget those 4 years even happened!

High school for me was certainly a huge growth spurt. (For the rest of this note, please have a Go Go's, Yaz, ABC or Tears for Fears song playing in the background. And if you are hardcore Texas 1986, play a Leonard Skynard track).

I excelled in volleyball, swimming and softball....and was pretty much liked by everyone. I wouldn't say I was in the "most popular" crowd but knew and loved everyone in that crowd and they knew me. I had a gazillion friends from all different groups: the cheerleaders, the sports teams, the "brainier kids".....really everyone. I received well over average grades (except in Trigonometry)and was respected by all my teachers (except my Trig teacher). And yes, this was Texas....which meant that hanging out at the local Burger King or TP-ing someone's home was our biggest form of entertainment. We had outgrown rollerskating by our high school years.

But we were good kids. Meant well (though our maturity levels were oftentimes less than desired). But good nonetheless. We experimented...but had our own boundaries and limits...or thought we did. One big family that I can honestly say I will never forget.

Recently I have hooked back up with many of those old friends thanks to the power of Facebook. Because of that, I felt inspired to start a Class of 1986 heart to re-connect us all through the power of paying love forward.

The first recipient is Miss Class of 1986 herself, Leslie Thompson Hilberth. In fact, I am certain that Facebook got its idea from Leslie's uncanny and highly advanced ability to connect people. She is a force of nature that I HIGHLY respect and just love to tears.

Leslie, I crown you queen of the memory hive. Psst....pass it on.

With love,
Sahara Damore

Fighting Bears...WOO WOO!