:: Aham Prema ::

In high school I wrote this story about my beloved Grandpa Chuck.  I just read it again yesterday for the first time in 15 years to my son.  I am very thankful to remember these details I had forgotten and to share the essence of such a wonderful man with my boy.   I also realized how much of an impact he has made on me that still holds in my character today.  In memory of grandpa, here is the story.  Slightly edited. :) Licorice Grandpa My grandpa was simply the best.  There is no way I can describe what an incredible person he was.  He seemed to be the only grandpa alive who was still "a kid" inside.  It is because of these reasons that my grandpa Chuck has made an impact on how I live my life today. One of the best memories I have of my grandpa is going to his house every holiday.  My family would enter my grandparent's huge immaculate house and be overtaken with the strong thick smell of my grandpa's pipe.  As soon as we ...

“…And the greatest of all these is love.” ~Corinthians You could explore and study love for your whole lifetime and still never fully understand it. You may only catch a glimpse of its fascinating possibilities. Love is one of those expansive eternal forces - far beyond our senses’ ordinary perception. It is something many dream of, imagine about, and wait for. Some say love is the essence of all there is and that love is the answer. Some say love hurts or it doesn’t even exist. Some prophets say that there is only love or fear at the root of everything - and that love is the only truth. We all have different versions and understandings of love - which evolve throughout our lifetime. They may range from a feeling for a soul mate to one about a favorite shirt. Love can be a sweet nickname or a feared word. Some express it with tenderness, others with strength. Some say I love you to everyone. Some reserve it only for “the one”. Others never say it at all. It can be as simple a...

There are very few couples I look up to today.  It seems more and more are unhappy, unfaithful, and/or non-existent.   A woman that I look up to a lot, not only because of her sweet and loving personality, but also because of her success in love, marriage, children, and her career, recommended I write a love wish list.   She says that this was what she did just before she found her husband.  They have been married for about 20 years, have three amazing children, and are a great team together.  It's so fun to hang out with them to see the possibilities that are out there.  So she told me to make a list and she'll have to interview whomever I date to make sure they are the one.... =P I've made these before but I thought it would be a good time to make a completely fresh, new list.  It's worth a shot. :) My Love Wish List (Qualities of My Ideal Partner) : Loyal Loving Great with AJ Laughs at life Affectionate Intelligent Funny Open Min...

Dear God, In the times I feel most alone, I treasure your strong, steady presence. Thank You! In the times I feel all is wrong, you remind me that everything is divinely right, I just may not see it clearly. Thank You!! In the times I feel lost, you show me the way back to Love. Thank You!!! I Love You <3 by Danielle Crume © 2011

Have you found what really makes your heart sing? Simple things can make you feel joy emanating from your heart. Tune in to what things do this for you - and then make sure you are doing them!  Notice your heart's meanderings and follow them to see where they lead. You may discover treasured joys that you aren't enjoying in your daily life. Allowing your heart to sing a little bit every day is very healthy and makes life much more enjoyable. I enjoy life so much more when I work hard and play each day. Here are some examples of things that make my heart sing: Playing games Writing Eating out with my family Exploring new places Developing creative projects Listening to music Enjoying Coffee and tea :) Walking Each day I give myself the reward of enjoying one of these, even if only for 20 minutes. Usually, I sprinkle them throughout my day. For example, I treat myself to a cup of coffee in the morning because I really love it. I spend some time wr...

My notes, adapted from Gregg Braden's book Walking Between the Worlds, one of my most life-altering reads from my all-time favorite author. The Three Universal Fears Your charge of universal fears, though often unconscious, is your promise that you will create patterns of relationships showing you these fears. With few exceptions, our experiences of pain, suffering, illness, disease, and emotional trauma have their roots in these core universal fears. These are the three basic underlying fears many of us experience: 1. Abandonment and Separation We feel left or abandoned by our creator without explanation or reason. We feel alone . (Ex: "our father who art in heaven" vs. "our father who is everywhere"). Expressed as : relationships where you are devastated when they fail, always being the one who gets "left" in the relationship, and/or being the first to leave a good relationship so that you are not hurt. 2. Self Worth We are not ...

A silly day, some will say, I'd love to celebrate anyway. Perhaps we can share extra love And thank the heavens up above For the blessing of each other. It's you I want, above any other. So won't you please, be mine... Today, be my sweet Valentine? Let's be silly and enjoy That I'm your girl and you're my boy. Too often we are so busy, Perhaps just today we can be free To focus on each other... And be extra thankful for our lover. So what do you say, love of mine? Will you be my valentine? =) <3 I Love You! by Danielle Crume © 2011