Put A Little Love In Your Heart – Yep, I’m a child of the 60’s –

Hey Stendar! I used to say the same thing to my parents, born in the 1920’s, the decade following WWI. I remember sitting in class, 1st or 2nd grade, and hearing JFK announce the start of the space program and that we would go to the moon by the end of the decade (1960’s). We did it!

Yes, there has been so much change and progress made in every area of life, all around the world. But somethings never seem to change. In particular, our need to be whole and recognize our own self worth. Our “progress” has one a lot of damage to our minds, hearts and ability to help keep each other safe.

I’ve had some very low days recently. They will come and go. Right now, I hope I am making an upswing. I hate conflict, and, while enduring another night of insomnia, came across this song from a happier period, decades ago. The lyrics seem to be timeless. The need to “put a little love in your heart” reminds me that sometimes, just SOMETIMES, doing so is cleansing and healing, even if only for myself. Because, really…..who else can I count on to heal me?

There are a handful of people on this site that have put a little love in their hearts for me. And I am grateful.

Hi Randall. It’s OK if you don’t know how to put a little love in your heart right now. I’m still trying to reconcile the two sides of the coin that is “you” so I’m not sure I can be of much help (wry grin).

But I guess I subscribe to the philosophy that politics are local and if you want to effect change, you have to start right where you are. Perhaps it may help you to understand that when you wrote that post to Salt, you put a little love in your heart….more than a little. I know it sounds silly and simplistic but when you pet a dog or ask the cute barista at Starbucks how she’s doing, you are putting love in your heart. Okay, stop rolling your eyes and flipping me off.

I’m not manic/depressive or schizophrenic. I just have a major depressive disorder. I’m older and therefore invisible in the whole world concern for suicide movement. I couldn’t win a Hunky Jesus contest like you could. So I just have to think about what I can do to affect change at the most basic local level. And that’s doing something nice for myself and not giving a flying fuck what anyone (friends or – especially – family) thinks. Their opinion of me is none of my business. So by not absorbing their judgmental attitudes and vibes, I put a little love in my heart, all on my own. I’m paying it forward, to myself. If I continue to sit all alone in this little studio, I really will go freaking, barking insane. So, I’ll go to NYC this summer and see some Broadway shows, even if I have to dip into my inheritance to do it. Like they say “You can’t take it with you.”

Vancouver is an awesome, beautiful city. I lived in Seattle 3 times and headed north whenever I could.

And now, this really will sound corny but just try to envision it….when your heart feels empty, put your hand over your heart and think about someone who has been kind to you or someone you once loved, and picture them leaving their hand print (paw print?) on your heart. And try to sleep.

Please….stay alive!