I Wanted It To Be Love

02/26/2026

02/16/2026

I made a comment about the fact that I couldn’t understand why an 84-year-old woman was living alone as Nancy Guthries was. She was quite vulnerable. Over 900 people answered and made comments agreeing with me or disagreeing with me, expressing their opinion. Now I’m going to tell you why I think the way I do:

A Moment of Reflection — Living With Open Eyes

I have worked in child and family services for most of my life. Because of that, I have seen and experienced much more than I ever imagined I would when I was young. Some of it was heartbreaking. Some of it was sobering. And some of it changed how I understand safety.

We live inside our homes — places filled with memories, comfort, and familiarity. We want to believe they are completely safe. Yet life has taught me that safety is not a fixed condition. The world changes, people change, circumstances change. We must be willing to change with it, especially when our well-being is at stake.

We are living in uncertain times, sometimes among people we do not fully understand. This is not a reason to live in fear — but it is a reason to live awake.

Nothing, nothing ever stays the same.

We can remain true to our values and our roots while learning to adapt to the reality in front of us. Acceptance does not mean passivity. Being authentic does not mean being unguarded. An open heart must live beside clear awareness.

Much of our suffering comes from clinging — to how things were, how we hoped they would be, or who we believed someone to be. Life asks us to walk a delicate line: caring deeply, yet not grasping; trusting, yet observing; loving, yet protecting.

As we grow older, we learn to let life flow while also honoring our responsibility to care for ourselves. Wisdom is not closing off — it is staying curious about life while keeping our eyes open.

There is a balance:
to remain compassionate without becoming vulnerable,
to remain authentic without abandoning discernment,
to remain open while still being safe.

This is not fear.
This is awareness.
And awareness, too, is a form of love.

⸻

A Moment of Reflection by Jeanne Schneider Vargas

02/14/2026

I have coped with heart failure since I was diagnosed 10 years ago. I was admitted to the hospital yesterday to be evaluated. This is Heart Failure Awareness week. I wanted to share with you so you would understand what is heart failure. I have met so many people who are suffering from heart failure and who fear heart failure. I have lived with it for 10 years. It's a condition not a disease that you cannot learn to manage. I manage by controlling my sodium intake: I have a limit to the amount of salt I can have each day. Sometimes I have to make hard choices eliminating foods I really like, but I want to live and enjoy life. I take care of myself and I also know how to be aware of when I am in trouble. I don't ignore symptoms. I hope you will read and share this post you can ask me questions if you'd like.

02/09/2026

Let’s Flow.

01/30/2026

The TriCounty Opportunity Council 2026 Scholarship application announces income guidelines remain are set at 200% FPL. This is a great opportunity for some extra funds to help with educational expenses. It is a fairly simple application to complete, and applicants can find a fillable PDF on the TCOC website! Please note: Applications, along with the required documentation, must be submitted no later than March 13, 2026.

TCOC will award ten (10) college and occupational training scholarships of up to $2,000 each to income-eligible students.

The application can also be found on the TCOC website:

Investigating the impact of poverty and working to provide opportunities that support movement toward stability and self-sufficiency.

01/24/2026

Let there be Light.

01/24/2026

How beautiful for America when selfless love prevails.

01/24/2026

Allow your heart to be comforted by remembering that nothing lasts forever, nothing good and nothing bad. Just as the sun rises with the new dawn of a new day, there are always new beginnings - and there will always be blessings even in bad times. Set your intention to be open hearted and open-minded so that you don’t miss any of the Blessings that are here for you. ~ Jeanne Schneider Vargas