Heard this version of Louis Armstrong’s classic of Wonderful World tonight.  There is a spoken piece in which ’Satchmo’  is sharing his wisdom as an elder about what really matters.  His words “Love, baby, love…that’s the secret.”,  gave me truth-barometer goosebumps. What if it really was as simple as all that and that everything we worry about, fight about, kill each other over, is a matter of sharing that un-secret with everyone we know in each encounter?  It’s so easy to allow petty annoyances to boil over into raging torrents of anger. I’ve been there and it ain’t fun. Better instead to turn down the heat by thinking about ways to feed the love, rather than the fire.

I was speaking with clients yesterday about having a list of  things to do instead of indulging in their addictions,  at the ready, so that when the urge to turn to their drug of choice arises, they will be prepared. How about a ‘love, baby, love list’? These are things I appreciate and set my heart glowing brightly.

Mine would look like this:

My dear family and friends…some close by and others scattered around the planet.

The newly renovated bathroom that is a pleasure in which to relax and pamper myself.

Increasing numbers of opportunities to write and speak worldwide.

Music that nourishes my heart and soul.

Indian food.

Going nose to nose and heart to heart with my friend Ruth

A house concert with my friend Heidi Cooper and her daughter Deanna on Friday night from which my home is still resonating with music and laughter.

A gorgeous butterfly affirmational image painted by my friend Rod.

Drumming and dancing, as I did last night with my friends Peggy and Ron.

Anticipating beach time this weekend.

Floating in my friend Verna’s pool as I did last weekend.

Happy, well maintained Jeep that gets me where I need to go.

Getting a butterfly painted on my face that has me flapping my wings with delight

A strong, flexible, healthy body.

My gym playouts at Planet Fitness when I ‘sweat my prayers’.

Lunch at Whole Foods  with my friend and editor, Pam.

Ongoing relationship with my parents on the Other Side.

Deep and abiding spiritual connection.

Developing and honing of intuitive abilities.

Cosmic coincidences during which events and people come together in remarkable ways.

An ever open door to new adventures.

Chocolate (’nuff said:)

Getting to know and love the woman in the mirror in ways I never did before.

My Bliss Mistress book’s gallivanting journey throughout the world.

The wildflowers on my dining room table, given to me by my friend Cindy.

…and love, baby, love in abundance that never ends, never gets stale,  and never runs out, no matter what….

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGKqH26xlg  Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbL8H5tantE Love/What’s Going On?  by Rickie Byars Beckwith