May is for all the colours of love.

Love knows no boundaries. Love is universal. I’m sure you have heard these sayings before. But I say really think about them. Love is the one constant in this world. Maybe where we find love changes, but believe me, it is what keeps us ticking.

It’s no wonder the idea of love, giving and receiving love comes straight from the heart. Our heart, our life ticker, is what keeps us going. Love keeps us going. Do you share your love, your love of life, your love of the goodness in your life, with those you love? All it takes is a smile. In these trying times, a smile is the easiest, simplest gift we can give. Celebrate the gift of your heart with a smile.

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

And how about a loud cheer, bless you and thank you to all the Mother’s of this world! We have all been born of a mother’s love. But, many of us forget how fruitful, how giving, how endlesss that love is. This month, we invite you to remember at least 3 moments in your life, when you felt your mother’s love, or a mother figure in your life. Remember them supporting you, cheering you on, boosting your confidence and helping you grow. Write the moments down. Reflect on them. How do you see those moments?  Do you see their wisdom? Do you see the patience? Do you recognize the energy, time, effort that went into showing you love?

We have all had at least one cheerleader that has paved the way for us to keep strong, to choose the next unknown venture.

I ask you to practice gratitude this month in a very specific way:

        take action. 

We have all heard the words: take action. Do it. But what do we usually do? Many of us will pick up flowers, or cake and a card for the mom in our life and offer it as a thank you. Let’s take it a step further and make this a month of healing and growth. Let’s take the step of action to grow our kindness towards others, in a time of stress. Let’s choose. Choose one small action you can take and offer someone this month. Act on it. Do it just because. Because it’s good for your heart health. For example, clean out that pantry for mom. Or stock up grandma’s book shelf from one of the small ‘Free little libraries”. Plus, there is the massive health benefit of helping someone!

Did you know there are actual improvements you feel in your life when you share your time or resources with another person?

For example, volunteering with a social community group, or community centre, delivering food for a friend, offering to do yard work for an elderly neighbour improves YOUR quality of life and decreases depression. Donating some of your time, extra clothing, or even tithing (donating some of your hard earned income) to a community group gives you a brain boost. It directly makes you feel good. The ‘commitment to generosity…can make people happier’ (Psychology Today May, 2018) In one study assessing the Keys to Happiness, those who prioritized spirituality/religion, and then relationships (with family, friends, neighbours) were happier than those that valued personal life goals first.

So, to grow your heart health…

Take a small step toward opening your heart to a loved one and fill this world with the colours of love, all month long.

“Everybody wants to save the Earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.” —P.J. O’Rourke

Contact Monika Meulman, of the Healing Muse Apothecary, at 2859 Lake Shore Blvd. W., or 416-347-5449, or @healingmuse or www.healingmuse.com