Beth Williamson Ruse

05/25/2020

When he was little, I found myself walking through a local cemetery with my youngest son and my dad. While we were there, a group of boy scouts were marking the graves of veterans with American flags.

Curious, my son asked my dad to walk around and look at some headstones. I watched as they wandered from one spot to another, reading the headstones and the plaques at each grave. As I approached them, my son told me that one soldier died fighting in WWII, and he then turned and asked my dad if he’d fought in that war. My dad replied he hadn’t, explaining that he was only a few years old during WWII.

As we were leaving, my son ran back to the headstone, whispered something, then ran back to my dad and grasped his hand to walk home.

Later that night, I asked him what he was doing. His response?

“I said thank you to the soldier for keeping Gramps safe back when he was a baby.”

On this Memorial Day Monday I remember all of the military service members who have fallen while making the greatest sacrifice for our nation. I hold them, and their families, in my thoughts with the deepest gratitude, appreciation and love.

04/06/2020

Five summers ago I needed to get an MRI. The waiting room was crowded and as I sat there, I observed an older gentleman. He sat with his eyes closed and his hand over his heart. After a few moments, he opened his eyes, and as he did, our eyes met and we smiled at each other.

He paused for a moment as if he was going to say something to me. So, I remarked to him that I was a bit nervous about climbing into the MRI tube, and his smile was JUST what I needed to see.

Smiling again, he told me that whenever his wife was nervous about a medical test . He remarked that she swore by this practice, for in doing so, she instantly felt calmer and more at ease. He went on to say that this is what he had been doing before, closing his eyes, feeling all of the love that he had in his heart and quietly sending that love out to those of us in the waiting room.

Touched, I remarked that he and his wife were beyond lucky to have one another. He told me that his wife passed away a few years back, but that he always felt her presence. With that, his name was called and he wished me luck with my MRI and gave me one last smile.

As I continued waiting, I closed my eyes, placed my hand over my heart, felt all of the love in my life, and quietly sent it out to those around me, both the patients and the medical staff.

And you know what? It worked. I felt calmer, and more at ease. More importantly, I was filled with gratitude for meeting the gentleman who shared the love in his heart with me.

Since that time, and through many challenging times I have practiced this, and it has helped me tremendously. And looking at the research of Emma Seppälä at Stanford University- the science shows that this practice benefits our physical and emotional health- as well as that of those around us.

And considering all that is going on in this world, I feel that each of us, our communities and our world as a whole could use some more love. Way more love.

And while it will not solve all the problems, it can and does make a difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Plan for the day: Send love out into the world.

Who’s with me?

03/21/2020

We are all in this together my friends. Let's cultivate courage and helping.

03/15/2020

For all of you on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ten Percent Happier is offering free access to their app which includes amazing meditations, some created by top global meditation teachers just for this time. Check it out, and now that all of us appreciate you and all that you are up to in this world.

01/05/2020

Do you live near the greater Stoughton area? If so, Stoughton House Of Brews is looking for coats to add to their "leave a coat/take a coat." rack. Please consider helping out this worthwhile cause.

12/17/2019

"I see you. I feel your pain. I send you love."

Those words were said to me by a homeless man several years ago. I was was sitting in a café, passing time as I waited for my son’s art class to end. As I sat there, I was overcome with a wave of grief for a recent loss in my life. I turned my head towards the window, closed my eyes, and felt the tears slipping down my cheeks. The sadness washed over me like a wave, and while I wanted to will the tears away, I was unable to stop them.

Suddenly, I felt a touch on my shoulder. As I opened my eyes, I saw a gentleman with scraggly scruff on his face, wearing a long tattered coat, standing beside me. I recognized him as the man that was usually standing in front of the café, holding a can, and asking for change.

With his hand placed gently on my shoulder, his eyes looked into mine as he said those words, “I see you. I feel your pain. I send you love.” And with that he walked away.

His kindness, his compassion, his willingness to *see* me, to be *with* me, and his words, have stuck with me as I moved through those difficult times, and all these years later.

So today, for those of you who are facing your own struggles, especially at the holidays:

I see you. I feel your pain. I send you love.

11/28/2019

Several years ago, I went to the grocery store with my dad, the day before Thanksgiving here in the States.

To say our excursion was a gong show would be an understatement. Between the bumper –to-bumper traffic driving to the store, the lack of parking once we arrived, and the crankiness of my fellow last-minute shoppers it was a gong show with a capital G.

After navigating all the craziness along the aisles of the store, I finally made my way to the end of what seemed like a never-ending line. Standing there, I let out a long sigh; I felt tired, and a bit worse for the wear.

But then when I got to the front of the line, I saw one of my favorite cashiers working the register. When she looked up she smiled widely and exclaimed, “I was JUST thinking about you this morning.” She went on to tell me that someone in her apartment building placed sticky notes on everyone’s mailboxes with inspirational quotes and she loved one so much she had taken time to write it down.

While I was pulling out my wallet to pay, she showed me the piece of paper she had tucked into her pocket with the quote she loved. It was a Maya Angelou quote and it read: Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

A smile spread across my face, for that is one of my favorite quotes. I was beyond touched and we both reached out to hug one another over the counter as we exchanged wishes for happy Thanksgivings.

I started to navigate my cart towards the exit and as I did, I looked up to see my dad, newspaper tucked under one arm, coffee in hand, grinning his infamous grin in my direction. And again, I found a smile spreading across my face.

It was then that I realized the wisdom of Maya Angelou’s words. For if we are present, in the moment at hand, even amid the gong show of life, more times than not, we can find something in our lives for which to be thankful.

Because at that moment in time my heart was filled to the brim with appreciation, gratitude, and love.
And more than three years later, that moment and that quote have stayed with me. A gift in and of itself.

Plan for the day: Be present. Be thankful.

Wishing you all so much love as you gather with those near and dear to your heart.

11/19/2019

Oh my word it has been a long day here in my household. A. Long. Day. Anyone else?

But as I sat down to write in my journal, this was the quote that was at the top. It is the *perfect* reminder at the *perfect* time. (Love when that happens.)

For regardless of how long and how hard this day has been, I've made it through it. As my boys used to say when they were little, "We did it!" We did.

And if you are reading this, so have you. And I am so glad you have...

11/13/2019

I am often asked how to prevent the stress and the tragedy in the world from getting the best of us.
Good question, right?

Yet just this past month:
I witnessed a young boy salute and hug a member of the armed forces as he told him “thank you” for his service.

I saw a young man stop to help an older gentleman who had a flat tire at the side of the road on a rainy day.

I watched all the customers in a check out line allow a young mom with twins, a toddler, and an overflowing grocery cart to check out ahead of us, then help her get her children and groceries out to her car.

I noticed a woman pay it forward by buying coffee and bagels for a group of people wearing hospital scrubs, and heard her thank them for the work that they do in this world.

How do we prevent stress from getting the best of us?
By letting the best of us shine in spite of the stress of life.

It means stopping to take notice of the good around us, and it means reflecting that good back out into this world with kindness and generosity.

Plan for World Kindness Day: Notice the good around me, and then return that goodness back out into the world.
Who's with me?

10/08/2019

Four summers ago I needed to get an MRI. The waiting room was crowded and as I sat there, I observed an older gentleman. He sat with his eyes closed and his hand over his heart. After a few moments, he opened his eyes, and as he did, our eyes met and we smiled at each other.

He paused for a moment as if he was going to say something to me. So, I remarked to him that I was a bit nervous about climbing into the MRI tube, and his smile was JUST what I needed to see.

Smiling again, he told me that whenever his wife was nervous about a medical test . He remarked that she swore by this practice, for in doing so, she instantly felt calmer and more at ease. He went on to say that this is what he had been doing before, closing his eyes, feeling all of the love that he had in his heart and quietly sending that love out to those of us in the waiting room.

Touched, I remarked that he and his wife were beyond lucky to have one another. He told me that his wife passed away a few years back, but that he always felt her presence. With that, his name was called and he wished me luck with my MRI and gave me one last smile.

As I continued waiting, I closed my eyes, placed my hand over my heart, felt all of the love in my life, and quietly sent it out to those around me, both the patients and the medical staff.

And you know what? It worked. I felt calmer, and more at ease. More importantly, I was filled with gratitude for meeting the gentleman who shared the love in his heart with me.

Since that time, and through many challenging times I have practiced this, and it has helped me tremendously. And looking at the research of Barbara Frederickson at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as the research of Emma Seppälä at Stanford University- the science shows that this practice benefits our physical and emotional health- as well as that of those around us.

With all that is going on in this world, I think that there is a serious need for more love. Way more love.

And while it will not solve all the problems, it can and does make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Plan for the day: Send love out into the world.

Who’s with me?

10/02/2019

Several years ago I needed to undergo an outpatient procedure. Afterwards, as I stood in line to check out, my mind was anywhere but in the present moment as I wondered about my future and my capacity to heal.

And then I spotted a quote posted by the desk of one of the administrative assistants. It was the *perfect* reminder for me to stay focused in the moment in which I was standing.

Well, this week I found myself back in that same medical office. And there was the quote, still posted on the wall; its message still relevant and still *very* much needed.

Plan for the day: Focus on the day that is at hand and appreciate the glorious gift of another 24 hours.

09/23/2019

It has been one of those days, and it is not even 7:00 AM yet. Ever have a morning like that? I am sure you know the kind I mean- the mornings that don't go the way you want, where nothing seems to be going right.

Pause for a moment, take a breath, and ask yourself, “What’s NOT wrong?”

Having a hard time answering that?

Well, you woke up this morning to live another day. And I, for one, am so thankful that you are here.

09/11/2019

A couple of years ago, I started talking with a woman in line at the grocery store. The next day was September 11th, and to her, it felt as if ever since that time, that the bad was far outweighing the good. She said the world "hasn't been the same since."

As I thought about our conversation, I thought of this photo displayed in our home. It is one of my favorites and was taken when my son was a little over a year old.

My dad was a firefighter for 40+ years Norwood Fire Department. A true “helper” in every sense of the word; he always has been, and my guess is that he always will be. He, and my mom, raised me to always look for the good in others, to extend a helping hand whenever I am able, and to greet the world with love in my heart.

Perhaps that is why the Fred Rogers quote is one to which I return again and again. When I focus on the helpers of the world, I too, feel comforted.

And these days, when I read the newspapers or listen to the news, it is the helpers that I see- be it first responders, members of the armed services, or simply community members, and neighbors helping neighbors. For when I bring my focus to the helpers, I am filled with appreciation. I see courage. I see compassion. I see the inherent goodness of human beings. I see the connection shared in our humanity. I see love in spite of the suffering.

And I see hope.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mothers’ words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers- so many caring people in the world."
-Fred Rogers

09/03/2019

Looking for a way to rest and relax? Take a look at the fantastic retreat put on by Nicole Pardo of Holding Space yoga studio. You will be lead through some fantastic yoga classes, eat some delicious food and most of all meet some remarkable people.

October 10-13, 2019

06/11/2019

Today I attended an event at one of my son's schools. And while I was there, I again saw this sign, for it is posted throughout the school in prominent locations.

What a fantastic reminder not only for students, but for our society as a whole.

My plan for the days ahead? Remember to be be respectful in my actions, to be responsible for being the change I wish to see in this world, and to move through my day spreading kindness.

Who's with me?

*A HUGE shout out to the staff and teachers at Mansfield Public Schools, especially at Harold L Qualters Middle School, for promoting mutual respect and understanding.

04/29/2019

This is a friendly reminder that our words matter. Our. Words. Matter.

Today may our words help to promote peace and to cultivate kindness in the community around us.

Who's with me?

04/22/2019

A friendly reminder: You've got this.