I think life can be funny sometimes. Having spent much of my youth torturing an older sibling (Colleen) for her emotional sensitivities, I could undoubtedly be considered the stereotypical spoiled brat youngest child. In hindsight, I don’t know that it could have played out any differently considering I was the youngest of seven with a span of over 20 years between myself and the eldest of the brood. They deserve some of the blame for spoiling me in the most formative years, before brathood ensued.

I’ll spare you the details of some of the brattiest antics I put her through, but the one that comes to mind, considering we’re all about the heart this month, was how I couldn’t resist teasing her for being overly sensitive. She was an easy target. Anyone who could cry during a Kleenex commercial needed help as far as I was concerned.

To say my heart has softened a bit since those days, I’m happy to say is true. Having taken myself to the movies recently to a film that I expected to be all good fun, then finding myself crying like a baby, showed me I’ve officially become sensitized!

In keeping with the heart, Hannah Tytus reminds us in “A Whole-Hearted Life: The Daily Choices That Help Our Hearts Thrive” that cardiovascular health is built through simple, consistent choices: what we eat, how we move, and how we manage stress. Her practical approach emphasizes that small daily decisions can profoundly impact long-term heart health.

In “Garlic Therapy: Eating Our Way to a Healthier Heart,” Marlaina Donato explores the powerful cardiovascular benefits of this humble kitchen staple. From lowering cholesterol to improving circulation, garlic offers nature’s own prescription for heart health when prepared and consumed properly.

Cécile Raynor’s “Listening to The Heart: Love as an Embodied Practice” takes us beyond the physical to explore the emotional dimensions of heart health. She reminds us that loving ourselves enough to prioritize rest, set boundaries, and honor our needs is essential to true well-being.

As always, I hope you find something helpful in these pages that nurtures your heart and your journey.

Peace,