Beth Williamson Ruse

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Four summers ago I needed to get an MRI. The waiting room was crowded and as I sat there, I observed an older gentleman. He sat with his eyes closed and his hand over his heart. After a few moments, he opened his eyes, and as he did, our eyes met and we smiled at each other.

He paused for a moment as if he was going to say something to me. So, I remarked to him that I was a bit nervous about climbing into the MRI tube, and his smile was JUST what I needed to see.

Smiling again, he told me that whenever his wife was nervous about a medical test . He remarked that she swore by this practice, for in doing so, she instantly felt calmer and more at ease. He went on to say that this is what he had been doing before, closing his eyes, feeling all of the love that he had in his heart and quietly sending that love out to those of us in the waiting room.

Touched, I remarked that he and his wife were beyond lucky to have one another. He told me that his wife passed away a few years back, but that he always felt her presence. With that, his name was called and he wished me luck with my MRI and gave me one last smile.

As I continued waiting, I closed my eyes, placed my hand over my heart, felt all of the love in my life, and quietly sent it out to those around me, both the patients and the medical staff.

And you know what? It worked. I felt calmer, and more at ease. More importantly, I was filled with gratitude for meeting the gentleman who shared the love in his heart with me.

Since that time, and through many challenging times I have practiced this, and it has helped me tremendously. And looking at the research of Barbara Frederickson at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as the research of Emma Seppälä at Stanford University- the science shows that this practice benefits our physical and emotional health- as well as that of those around us.

With all that is going on in this world, I think that there is a serious need for more love. Way more love.

And while it will not solve all the problems, it can and does make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Plan for the day: Send love out into the world.

Who’s with me?

Several years ago I needed to undergo an outpatient procedure. Afterwards, as I stood in line to check out, my mind was anywhere but in the present moment as I wondered about my future and my capacity to heal.

And then I spotted a quote posted by the desk of one of the administrative assistants. It was the *perfect* reminder for me to stay focused in the moment in which I was standing.

Well, this week I found myself back in that same medical office. And there was the quote, still posted on the wall; its message still relevant and still *very* much needed.

Plan for the day: Focus on the day that is at hand and appreciate the glorious gift of another 24 hours.