Megan DiMaria

It costs nothing to show someone else kindness. We all know the world is harsh, so be kind! We never know what other people are dealing with. On the outside, we all look pulled together and ready to take on the world. But a broken person hides their wounds, carrying them deep inside. You can't look at someone and judge their behavior off the cuff. Often deep, personal issues guide a harsh action or cutting words. We never know what hurts have motivated others. You can't imag

I don't know about you, but I think the world has become a harsher, less kind place in the past few years. It truly wears on my heart. Lately, I've been thinking about a slip of paper I discovered about a decade ago. It was folded inside the pages of my mother's prayer book. I believe that the prayer was written in the early 1940s, during World War II. I think about it because that prayer is still pertinent today. It was titled A Prayer for Peace: Lord Jesus Christ, our Sover

What were you doing 40 years ago last Saturday? I was starting the rest of my life. At the time, I thought I was all grown up. But looking back, I was so young, only 23 years old. I probably wasn’t unusual in not realizing exactly what I was agreeing to when I said, “I do.” Who knows what the future holds? I was in love. Still am. I was seeking a grand adventure. Got that! I was looking for a happily ever after. Got that too. However, since then I’ve realized happily ever aft

Happy (early) Valentine's Day. I've been thinking about my loves (my darling family), and that made me think of our kitchen table. So much life happens there—so many conversations and memories are made around a dinner table. I refinished my old 1990s table with a beautiful coat of purple and dark brown paint. Boy did it turn out great. See? It looks sleek and glamorous and chic (IMHO). We refinished the table in 2008, and ten years later, I’m still thrilled with it. I was c

What were you doing 39 years ago last Saturday? I was starting the rest of my life. At the time, I thought I was all grown up. But looking back, I was so young, only 23 years old. I probably wasn’t unusual in not realizing exactly what I was agreeing to when I said, “I do.” Who knows what the future holds? I was in love. Still am. I was seeking a grand adventure. Got that! I was looking for a happily ever after. Got that too. However, since then I’ve realized happily ever aft

Did you experience it yesterday? No, I'm not talking about the eclipse—although that was pretty spectacular, wasn't it? I noticed it early in the day. Life was a bit different than it had been for the past year. The peace. The quiet. The kindnesses that were extended. While everyone was gazing up to the heavens, they forgot about the hateful rhetoric being tossed around, particularly on social media. Political differences were mercifully set aside or ignored. No one cared wha

Who else prays for strangers? I can’t be the only one who prays for folks they don’t know. I’m pretty sensitive, and stories I hear prick my heart. I have to respond in the best way I know—prayer. Prayer, the most powerful force, is also the easiest to gift to give. It only takes a few minutes of time and a bit of compassion. I find it an honor to bring a situation into the presence of God. For decades I’ve felt a special nudge to pray for people I barely know or don’t know a

Are you a door holder? Do you notice someone behind you and pause to pass off the door? I know, I know—you’re in a hurry. You’ve got something to do/somewhere to go. We all do. I always do the pause and pass. And when someone does it for me, I’m appreciative. A few days ago, I was going into a store behind a woman and her teen daughter. She slowed to toss something in the trashcan by the door, and I know she saw me. But when she passed through the door, she let it slam in my

Do you appreciate admirable character traits? Excuse me while I get a little introspective. I've been counting my blessings lately, and ALL of them are people, not things. No surprise there. I have amazing family and friends. What I truly value about those who are a close to me are the attributes of their characters. As I thought about my loved ones and friends, I compiled a list of what I admire most about them. Yes, this is what's needed in excess in our world (and in the b

It costs nothing to show someone else a kindness. We all know the world is harsh, be kind! We never know what other people are dealing with. On the outside, we all look pulled together and ready to take on the world. But a broken person hides their wounds, carrying them deep inside. You can't look at someone and judge their behavior off the cuff. Often deep, personal issues guide a harsh action or cutting words. We never know what hurts have motivated others. You can't imagi