And if one of those realities is relationships, especially with a significant other, then you’ll also want to know what makes the fire of true love burn bright.

For those days that aren’t so loving and you feel like you’re sitting under a mountain, there are ideas on how to think and what to do, to get you out from under that mountain.

These are some of the topics of my articles in the 2009 January, February, and March issues of “Open Roads: Open Hearts, Open Minds.” This lovely newsletter is currently circulating in the neighborhoods of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, USA.

As a writer and author, it’s always heart warming to be asked to submit what I love writing about. Publisher and Editor Becky Allen has an intuitive attraction to things of the heart, the mind, and the soul. I am so delighted to read her monthly newsletter, and to know that my words of wisdom are touching so many more souls because of her hard work – and her asking.

If you want to subscribe to this lovely rural publication, contact Becky at openroads@hughes.net and let her know you’re interested.

If you’d like to publish some of my writings in your publications, on-line newsletters, or as a guest writer now and then, let me know. I’ve got some great content for you just for asking and honoring my copyright. Browse around my archives and see what speaks to you and your audience. You can use my material as is, or if you want it expanded or focused on a particular theme you have in mind, let me know. Let’s see what we can create together for your readers.

You can reach me at mail4619-fdl@yahoo.com or leave a message at 920-929-8770 (USA).

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
Free Preview: Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker

In the December issue of “Open Roads: Open Hearts, Open Minds,” I have the privilege of writing the feature article. “Let There Be Light: How to Make It, Keep It, and Share It’ begins with the Chinese proverb: “Don’t curse the darkness – light a candle.”

Looking around nature, the economy, and international politics, we can find many places to bring more light right now.

• As the days shorten with the onset of winter and the nights get longer, we need more light!

• As the talk of recession and economic instability gets louder, we need more light!

• As natural disasters claim homes and lives in all parts of the world, we need more light!

• As many people close the door and want to be left alone in their black hole of depression, we need more light!

And obviously, as you’ve guessed by now, I’m not talking about turning on the ceiling lights or even lighting more candles.

I’m talking about a Light Source that is out of this world and guaranteed not to run out, not to run up your electricity bill, and won’t discriminate against who uses it and who doesn’t.

LIGHT is first and for mostly about Love.

We’re getting into that time of the year when our greeting cards and gift giving tell us that over and over again. But let’s take love out of the traditional expectations of our culture and raise it up a notch. Let’s take love out of the dating scene and sexual attraction and give it the place of honor it deserves.

One of my favorite viewpoints on love comes from 1 Corinthians 13:

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous. Love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly. Love does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.”

This is the kind of love that changes ourselves and changes the world we choose to help transform.

This is the kind of love I wish for all the readers who open and share the good news in “Open Roads” in Stuarts Draft, Virginia and beyond.

Many thanks to publisher and editor, Becky Allen, following her heart’s desire in putting this publication together. Blessings on the great wildlife rehabilitation work being done by the Rockfish Sanctuary, Inc. – it’s always a great joy of mine to read about their triumphs. And thanks to the many contributors who share the story of their journey through the changing of the seasons and the spiritual challenges of life.

So many ways to find the light, keep it, and share it.

If you’d like to get a copy of “Open Roads: Open Hearts, Open Minds,” contact publisher and editor Becky Allen at openroads@hughes.net or call at 540-377-2198.

We are here to learn from each other. Drop us a line in the response box below (or click on the comment link in Facebook) and share your thoughts about how you make, keep, and share more light in your life at this time of the year.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
Free Preview: Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker

Today I also have the November issue of “Open Roads” all the way from Stuarts Draft, Virginia, USA.

My first impulse was to page through this down home newspaper to find my article on abundance and prosperity. What author doesn’t love seeing their work in print?

Never mind that the front cover features a gorgeous thanksgiving meal with one of my favorite quotes: “Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.” I eventually tore myself away from the luscious details in that photo to savor the editorial column by Becky Allen.

Very much like my pastor’s post-election homily this morning, Becky reminded her readers that no one person is going to turn our country around by himself. The task comes back to all of us who are the collective mind, body, and soul of what we call our country.

“We’re being shown in innumerable ways that we’re part of an interdependent web of life.” Getting ourselves, our country, and the world back on its feet again is only going to happen when we’re “creating a world that works for everyone.”

What’s your part in all this? I know mine, and I’m happy to say I get to make my living doing it. I’ve known for some time that I’m here to listen and teach others on the spiritual journey back home. Almost like directing traffic, I get to tweak the guidance for those ready to take off running, and then put it out there step by step for those not yet sure of who they are and what’s going on in their life.

And of course, I have to ask. What’s your passion? What’s your dream? What’s the contribution you came here to give? Are you living it? If not now, then when?

Remember, life goes way too fast the way it is. Live your dreams first. After that, most everything else takes care of itself.

Drop us a line and share your thoughts about what you are passionate about. What’s your dream for yourself? What did you come here to do, and how’s that going for you?

(On this blog, write in the response box below. On Facebook, click on the comment link for the comment box to open up for you.)

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
Free Preview: Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker

If you don’t have a copy at your house, here’s what you’re missing.

Publisher and editor, Becky Allen, blends the local history of Stuarts Draft, Virginia with the everyday wisdom and values of the people living on the land.

A guest article from Tama Kieves, author of “This Time I Dance,” raises the challenge of commitment, why some of us never do it, and what our life could look like if we did.

And yes, my article on “Six Mind, Body, Spirit Responses to Stress” is a gentle way of saying esoteric things in a mundane disguise.

I love the humor in the jokes and the pictures of log cabins. I read every word in Jimmy Olgers stories about his garden, his canning, his cooking. Makes me think I’m back in my Grandma’s house after a day out in her garden.

Rockfish Sanctuary, Inc. features skunks, raccoons and opossums this month in a splendid article by Samantha Masone. Since these critters are found in many other places across the states, this is great information for keeping yourself updated on rabies issues and what’s involved in rehabilitating injured wildlife.

No matter where you browse or pause to read in this homey newsletter, it brings you back to the essentials of life and the things you forget to be grateful for.

For your own copy, contact Becky Allen at openroads@hughes.net and get on the Open Roads!

Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
Free Preview: Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker