One Heart at a Time

It is possible that you, dear reader, are reading this as a friend or family member of mine.  It is also possible that you only know me through the font I choose and the words I type.  If only the latter, I want you to know who I am.

I want you to know what I stand for, and I want you to know why.

Before Braeden came into my life, I thought I had it all figured out.  Everything was seemingly perfect: my husband, my job, my location, my inspiration, my everything.  Perfect.

And then I found myself pregnant.  Although bringing a child into the world at that point wasn't really something I had dreamed of, the pregnancy went so well that it was seemingly perfect, too.

But Braeden was born with Down syndrome.  Was that perfect?  

Brady P. -- minutes after birth

If you would have asked me that question any moment before I locked eyes with my son, I would have said, "No.  That's not perfect.  That's not even okay."

But I never had that option.  I never had that knowledge.  And I never had to make that choice.

I fell in love with that soulful wonder of the universe just minutes before I learned of his condition.  I started to believe in the perfect bundle in my arms only a moment before I would never have believed in him at all.

That's a tough thing to admit.  But it's true.

And his presence has changed my life.

The unconditional love that pours out of him gives me hope for this world.  Yes, this world.  At this time.  On this planet.  

I have hope because I saw how he changed me.  How he took my judgement and disbelief in something that I would have deemed "less" and showed me how it is more.

How to rock a Mohawk hat

Love can win.  Do you believe that?

Acceptance can only be achieved in our own hearts.  Once you are able to accept one sort of situation or person or entity, you open your heart to be able to truly accept others.  Then maybe you will see that we aren't so different after all, and you can accept everyone.

That is my goal.

One heart at a time, Brady P. and I are showing this world how powerful love, acceptance, and Mother Nature are in order for us all to survive.  To co-exist.  To thrive.

So as 2018 approaches, I want you to ask yourself, "How can I make it better?" Not just for you, but for the entire world. What can you do to better someone else's life?  To help others? To advocate for a group of people?

"What can I do to help???" 

That's not always an easy question to answer, but pay attention to the feelings you get when you see others treated unfairly.  When you know others are suffering.  Pay attention to the feelings you get when you want to help, but you don't know what to do.  Because, if you truly want to help, you will be shown a way.

Extraordinary cuteness in effect

Hey.  I believe in you.

I am already working on my next book, and usually I don't talk about it publicly this early, but I am really excited about it.  It will teach people how to listen to their hearts.  It will foster personal development on a level that will ripple out to the rest of the world.  It's going to work, I just know it.  That is why I am here...

Just you wait and see.