As patients and friends for many years, many of us knew we’d miss this gracious woman with the healing hands and words of wisdom who worked wonders with our bodies and our souls.

The finest tributes to Dr. Joan Regan were all these healthy people walking into the gathering space. The room resounded with gratitude to Joan for the many times her chiropractic skill spared them from back surgery or released them from a life of pain and suffering.

What could be a more fitting tribute to Joan than for us to read the poems she penned over the years – words of faith and hope, words of courage and strength. Some of these we remembered her reciting to us during our appointments with her. Some of these were inscribed in our Christmas cards. All of these reminded us how to bear the light in the darkness, and how to look for the blessing in every lesson.

When a noble, gifted, soul like this leaves, what’s the blessing for those of us left behind? Perhaps to hope anew that we may be as faithful to our journey as she was to hers? Perhaps to accept the light she has passed on to us, and to carry it as brightly and beautifully as she did hers.

Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
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“Every ordinary thing in your life is a word of God’s love: your home, your work, the clothes you wear, the air you breathe, the food you eat, the friends you delight in, the flowers under your feet are the courtesy of God’s heart flung down on you! All these things say one thing only: ‘See how I love you.’” (Caryll Houselander)

Now take that perspective into your own life experience and run with it!

Look at whatever you do to make a living for your family. Reflect on how all those things are ways you fling your heart down around them, ways you are saying, “See how I love you.”

Don’t count the shortcomings here or the mistakes. Don’t focus on how much better all this could be. True love doesn’t keep score. Simply look at the reality of what you can do now, what you can give now, and accept that as your way of loving at this time in your life.

Remember to take time for yourself. Eat healthy, exercise, and read. Relax, play, and laugh a lot. Draw, sing, and dance. Go for long walks, ride horses, and ski. All these are ways to love yourself. And when you love yourself, you allow even more of God’s heart to come to you and through you.

In all things, be gentle with yourself and others. At the end of the day, may your best memories be those of giving a helping hand, a kind word or a listening heart. At the beginning of the day, may your first thought and simple prayer be one of gratitude as you hear the heart of God say to you, “See how I love you.”

How are you living your life to help insure that love is going to be around for a long time to come? Drop a line in the response box below (or click on the comment link in Facebook) and share your thoughts with us.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
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As the year is winding down, some folks may conclude that the stock market losses, the recession, and our huge government bailouts are the focus of their attention.

It’s inevitable that we choose sides. We pick our heroes and heroines. We root for our team and champions. We support the platforms and policies we believe in. We choose between Wall Street and Main Street.

More so than ever before, let’s be careful how and why we make those choices!

Whether it’s political parties or sports teams, whether it’s a foreign country’s criticism of our country, a big business that puts us out of the market, or downsizes us from its workforce – none of us know the big picture.

Our first reaction may be to point fingers and blame someone for not having the foresight to create a different outcome than we are experiencing now.

And yet, no matter how unrighteous some people or some events may seem to be, they may be the only way our cultures and systems can get the wake up call to transform and ascend.

We have a lot of opportunities to make a choice and take a stand. It may take some time to weigh the information and to read the signs correctly. In all matters, let’s remember “Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Corinthians 13)

That which is true will shine with such radiance that it will compel seekers to look intently and deep. For some, this may be their second look at a person or event, a challenge or an opportunity. Perhaps that’s the best time then to take a stand and to follow with enthusiasm.

Where are you being asked to take a stand in your life? Is love standing there with you? Can you separate unrighteousness from truth? Drop a line in the response box below (or click on the comment link in Facebook) and share your thoughts with us.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
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Every major religion has a belief in a Divine Source, an Infinite Love. Every spiritual seeker yearns for the assurance they are loved, protected, and guided by a Higher Power.

And love is more than believing. “Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13)

These are some of my favorite lines from Corinthians. I think of them whenever I remember my 25-year old niece undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer.

I think of these words whenever I read about some one left homeless by a fire, tornado, or earthquake.

These are the words that come to mind when I hear stories on the evening news about survivors and volunteers, young and old living every moment of life with courage, faith and hope.

And they have courage, faith and hope because first they have love.

No matter how you choose to celebrate this holiday season, what ever your beliefs and traditions may be, let love be the source of your greatest joy and comfort.

A love that bears all things because it believes all things are possible, everything is going to work out, and all is well.

A love that endures all things because it hopes for the best in everyone and everything, and never gives up.

What are the biggest challenges for you to endure right now? Where would you like more support believing that everything is going to work out? Drop a line in the response box below (or click on the comment link in Facebook) and share your thoughts and concerns with us.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
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Earlier in the year, Eckhart Tolle was featured on Oprah. She chose his book, “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” for her book club. She also hosted a series of Monday night web shows discussing the book with Eckhart Tolle, answering questions, and talking to viewers from around the world.

Whether or not you are into Eckhart Tolle, his writings about the ego and the pain body, many of us still know what reactivity is all about!

This is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of love – not to talk back, not to explain ourselves, not to defend our opinion, not to get riled up when confronted or irritated or annoyed.

I’m not talking about defending ourselves in an abusive relationship or where we need to speak the truth for justice to prevail.

The reactivity I’m talking about is:

• the surge of angry words we spew out when someone cuts in front of us in traffic or in the buffet line,
• that irate feeling boiling up in us when someone doesn’t take their turn at the four-way intersection or in the check-out line,
• the ranting and raging we get into when we don’t get our way over something planned or expected,
• the mood we carry around with us for the rest of the day when we are blaming everyone and everything for the mess in our lives.

That’s reactivity. That’s being provoked. And that’s not love.

Love is tender, taking care of itself and reaching out to others. Love sees the big picture and knows that all is well, no matter what’s going on in the details. That’s why love can be gentle and non-reactive no matter how tough the going gets.

Love walks in forgiveness, knowing we are human and can make mistakes – but remembering we are first and always soul, walking the journey back home.

What supports you, encourages you, inspires you on your journey? Drop a line in the response box below (or click on the comment link in Facebook) and share your thoughts about what it means to you to walk in love.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
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I’ve always been told that if it’s the truth, it’s not bragging to talk about yourself and your accomplishments.

The point here is, don’t embellish it with arrogance.

Whether it’s holiday parties or family reunions, corporate outings or networking events, there are always clues that someone is not speaking with love.

For example, have you ever heard someone speak as if:

• their opinion is the only right one?
• they have a copyright on brilliance?
• they’ve been genetically altered to show up at the head of the line?

Or have you noticed someone act as if:

• they are the only one in the room worth listening to?
• no one else in their department or on their shift is as important as they are?
• everyone else is around just to make them look good?

And then there are those who are downright rude, obnoxious, intolerant and let you know it:

• they may show up late or unprepared and expect everyone to wait for them,
• they are loud and overbearing as if they were meant to be the center of attention,
• they indulge in too much food or beverages and assume that being intoxicated is a necessary element to having fun or throwing a good party.

Does any of this look familiar? Do you ever find yourself doing some of these things now and then?

If not, are you critical and judgmental about those who talk and act like this? Do you gossip about these folks and their unbecoming behavior?

It all comes down to understanding what love is really about and what it means to speak and act with love.

Here’s the best guideline I know: “Love does not brag and is not arrogant. Love does not act unbecomingly.” (1 Corinthians 13)

To be people of love, we don’t get to pick and choose just the ingredients we’re comfortable with. Thoughts, words, actions about ourselves and others – we’ve got to bite into the whole enchilada!

Did you find this information useful, inspiring, challenging? Drop a line in the response box below (or click on the comment link in Facebook) and share your thoughts about what speaking with love means to you, or what you think about this article.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Janice M. Puta
Author of Pathways: Tales for the Spiritual Seeker
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Just because it feels good – even if it seems to feel totally unlike any other experience of love you’ve ever had until now – that does not mean it’s love.

Just because you feel so connected to this person – even if it feels like the two of you have known each other forever – that does not mean it’s love.

Just because everyone you know is saying that the two of you are the perfect couple or meant for each other, that does not mean this is love.

And finally, even if a psychic tells you that you are soul mates or twin flames, that does not mean you have to or should spend the rest of your lives together.

So how do you know what true love is?

I like to go back to a very reliable, ancient source of wisdom to answer that question. From the New Testament, 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, here are three qualities that I call three faces of true love:

“Love is patient.” Okay, that’s enough to keep any of us busy during the challenges of the holiday season.
• Imagine the traffic jams, finding a parking place, and standing in long lines while trying to be patient. Consider how your best friend, lover, partner handles these challenges.
• Can you see and feel patience in this beloved? Or are you nervous, anxious, even fearful when someone or something pushes his or her buttons?
• Have you seen your chosen one throw a tantrum, lose his cool, compromise her pleasant disposition when deadlines were tight, products were out of stock at the store or didn’t work right when they got them home?
• Do you ever feel like you are walking on egg shells around this other person until you can get a feel for what mood he or she is in?

“Love is kind.” Is there kindness in the words and actions of your beloved?
• Do you always feel safe with him or her?
• Does this special person give you sincere compliments and do thoughtful things for and with you? Does he or she know what you like do and where you like to go?
• Does your beloved find lovely ways to surprise you and let you know how treasured you are?
• Does he or she share with others through donations to charities?
• Have you ever seen your special person give a compliment to a hard working clerk at the checkout or thank someone for answering a question in a store?

“Love is not jealous.” Can you enjoy the companionship and friendship of other men and women without your significant other being jealous?
• Is the trust and commitment between the two of you so strong that keeping up with old friends does not strain your intimate relationship?
• Can each of you include each other in these outings and catch up times with dear friends?
• Can each of you pursue your careers and enjoy your accomplishments without fears or concerns about outshining the other or being in competition with each other?
• Do you take the time to find ways to support each other in your personal dreams and career goals or are you each focused on taking care of only your own journey?

How you deal with all of this is how well you can practice what love really means. True love is patient and kind. True love shares and is inclusive. Use those guidelines to measure the words and actions of yourself and your significant other. Then you will come closer to understanding whether or not true love is one of the qualities of your relationship.

Did you find this information useful, inspiring, challenging? Drop a line in the response box below (or click on the comment link in Facebook) and share your thoughts about what true love means to you or what you think about this article.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

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