On Sunday, strolling the zoo lights with grandchildren, pushing my almost year old ‘Chill Cherub*’, next to the mother of my 10-month-old ‘Joy Boy*’ also in a stroller, their eyes of wonder sparkle as they take in the lights. Eyes so wide, as if able to absorb the sights and sounds and smells through their senses. And then, more magic, a spontaneous desire for human connection. One grandson reaches out his hand to touch the other. Their hands touch and clasp. It happens again and again. These innately connected beings just know and act in a way that sees wonderment is about connecting. So, they touch hands and clasp fingers and look at each other. Again, and again.

You see they know the power of a touch. A gaze exchanged. Wordless communication that says more than words. This child-knowing captures the essence of what is important. It serves as my reminder as I come back to this touching scene again and again. Unplanned moments accessible when I look, feel, allow, and wonder. As Bruce Springsteen pinned so many years ago, ‘everybody’s got a hungry heart.’

A day later, as the last gathering of a small group yearlong exploration was held via Zoom, it happened again. Yes, different, and still the same. We experimented with a new-to-me group meditation and again, after a few minutes, the sense of connection. The soothing of the hungry heart we each have.

And this is why I choose to offer the experiences; an invitation to feed the hungry heart of the soul. Starting January, a one-year long experience of accessing your inner mentor begins that will offer practices that draw us inward, inviting the hungry heart of the soul to be fed in an intimate small online setting.

It’s a few days before when many will celebrate a time of coming together, often amid a meal, drinks, perhaps a flurry of present opening. And there are many who will be alone – by choice or by circumstance. These people may consider that they are missing out or they may relish the quiet and peaceful way of internally celebrating by simply being.

As the distaste of consumerism mingles with habit and expectation, I personally feel a yearning for something simpler. I imagine a leisurely day of gifting our complete attention and presence with those around. This is often in a beach setting, where the meals effortlessly happen and the entire immediate family (there are 16 of us) float in and out of the main room, simply connecting. There is no wi-fi, no sports on a big screen, and we play board games, walk the beach, and simply and profoundly marvel at what is present, and the company of presence. We feed our hungry hearts that yearn for connection much in the same way Joy Boy and Chill Cherub do as they reach for their hands.

Alas, with a blended family invited to show up to more than one home, this image is unlikely. Still, it could happen and so the invitation dawns to focus on the essence of the imagining. Surrounded in love, we connect with each other, as we are, unhurried, and showing up to the best of our ability. I can choose to let go of the judgements and expectations so ingrained they become unnoticeable. Unless I invite them forth with the invitation of meeting my hungry heart of the soul with those around me. I can choose to slow down the pace. To practice presence. And so can each of us. It is a choice. 

So, in the upcoming days, practice the gift of soothing the hungry heart of your soul; show up without expectation, embrace child-like wonder at the lights present within all, and marvel at the experience of being Presence.

* These are my nicknames for these two grandchildren. Chill Cherub’s name is Kempton Nash and Joy Boys is Avery Miles. The story behind the names, well that is another musing