Does It Have To Be Perfect?

per-fect

• having no mistakes or flaws
• completely correct or accurate

 

Here's the conversation with myself that took place when I looked at the photo above.

 

Side #1 - I like this!

Side #2 - The bird feeder is too dark and slightly crooked. Once again, you'll have to crop it to make sure it's composed better!  Can you not remember the Rule of Thirds before  you click the shutter button?

Side #1 - I love the fluttering wings

Side #2 - Well, it looks like everything is fluttering! Do you see that it's not perfectly focused. A faster shutter speed would have worked better.

Side #1 - I'm so glad I caught the finches at my new feeder

Sides #2 - You may be glad, BUT you know you've seen much better photos of birds; so crisp and clear that you can see each little feather!

Side #1 - I think this will be my photo of the day, the one I'll post on my 365 groups.

Side #2 - IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!

So many times I follow the critical part of me; the one that expects perfection. So many times I do not post a picture because it's something less than perfect.

This time I didn't let that critical part of me win. I posted it in flickr and here I am posting it on my blog. I expect perfection in most things I do, and seriously that's just not possible. I need to worry less about the skills of other photographers and concentrate on improving my own skills. I read recently that "success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only."

This is true not only in photography, but my life. I can't continue to expect myself to be the perfect wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, or sister. I am who I am and that's it. Oh, there's room for improvement; yes there is, but I'm tired of beating myself up because of the "should haves."  I have to embrace the fact that I am less than perfect. Live each day the best I can, leave yesterday behind me, and look to be better tomorrow.

 

Click on the above button and join us in this month's

Photo-Heart Connection

hosted by Kat at Kat Eye Studio

or simply stop by her site and read

how others have connected with their photography.

Photo Heart Connectin ~ February 2014

Vintage items make me happy. Simple things like crocheted pieces, embroidered tea towels, jars, and old clothespins. Yes, the clothespins are vintage, they are mine and I've been married 41 years!  Vintage items bring back memories and memories have been on my mind lately.

 

As time passes and I grow older, I find my memories beginning to fade. I find it harder and harder to recall names, places, and events. I feel my brain is overloaded just trying to keep up with the quickly changing world we live in. Seriously, to be my age and having all this knowledge and technology thrown at me is mind boggling!  I know many of my memories are still there, they're just buried deep in my mind! With the encouragement of Sarah at Paisley Rain Boots, I'm working at bringing those memories out. Thank you, Sarah!  Sarah's focus on writing this year, especially her Coffee Shop Chronicles has been the push I needed to start writing down bits and pieces of my past. I purchased a leather notebook with 400 pages of little square graph paper. Graph paper?  Yes, 'cause I like the stuff!  I've also found a list of fifty-two questions to get me started; questions about family and memories. I read somewhere that once you start writing down memories more memories surface.  Who knows, maybe somewhere down my family line, someone will want to know how I lived, what I thought, and how I felt. Maybe no one will every read it...I don't know, but it will be there just in case.

 

Photo-Heart Connection ~ January 2014

The old building was quiet, reverently quiet. What once was an arsenal built in 1840 is now a military museum. I was the only one in the building except the curator. I slowly wandered around looking at the displays from the various wars and the interior of this historic building. I started up one of the back staircases and was delighted to find that it squeaked. I have this thing for squeaky floors and staircases. The more they squeak, the better they are. Now, these stairs just didn’t squeak in a couple of places, each step squeaked…loudly. I loved it. No one would be able to sneak up these stairs…totally impossible. I wondered about the people who climbed these stairs. How many soldier’s boots had trod up and down the stairs as they went about the business of storing weapons, munitions, cannons, canon balls and gunpowder. Later, military families lived here. How many children ran up and down these stairs.

 

As I stood at the top of the stairs I had the thought that the curator in this quiet building has heard the sounds of this building many, many times. He knows where the squeaks are and most likely he knew exactly where I was. This was a little disturbing to me. You see I don’t like to be noticed. I’m one of those who’d rather slip in, slip out and no one the wiser. I’m working on that this year. I’m stretching out of my comfort zone and trying to be brave. I have this goal to at least do something brave once a month. So far, I’ve done three brave things...things I had trouble with, but I overcame the fear and just did it! Maybe being noticed isn’t quite so bad!

I'm linking today with Kat's Photo-Heart Connection at Kat Eye Studio. I just realized that I've doing this link up for two years this month. I did miss a few months last year, but I'm looking forward to getting back in the practice of looking at each month's images and seeing which one engages my heart. You should join us. There's still a couple of days left in this link up!

Photo-Heart Connection ~ September 2013

 

September was a rough month for our family. My heart wasn't really into photography, so finding a photo for Photo-Heart Connection with Kat Eye Studio wasn't easy. I didn't have much to choose from, but I keep returning to this image because it's how I felt.

broken

ripped apart

frayed around the edges

 

If someone decided to repair this chair it would be a slow and time consuming process. So it is with me. Healing is happening, but it is slow and it will take time. Thankfully, God has been faithful and friends have been prayerful.

 

Photo-Heart Connection - August 2013

 

When I reviewed my August photos for Photo-Heart Connection with Kat Sloma, I kept coming back to this one. It reminds me of the peace and joy I've found the last two years through my nature photography.

 

Out early one morning when the dew was still on the ground a sparkle caught my eye and I knelt down. Sadness enveloped me first as I realized it was an insect's wing. But, even in sadness beauty and peace could be found. The glistening dew drops, the fascinating lines, and unique textures brought beauty.  Kneeling and taking pictures brought a sense of peace.

 

 

details...textures...colors...lines...shapes

 

These are the things that attract me in my daily life. I don't have to strive very hard to see these things, they're everywhere. I just have to slow down and they will be revealed.

 

fascination...awe...wonder...excitement...thankfulness

 

That's what I feel when something catches my eye and begs to be photographed. Before I snap the shutter button I breath deep, smile, and give thanks for each little gift I've been given. Gifts given by a God who wants all of us to enjoy his creation. Gifts that bring me joy!

 

"All things were made by him,

and without him was not any thing made that was made."

John 1:3

 



Photo-Heart Connection ~ June 2013

I’ve passed this arrow on the road where I walk many times. I’d never stopped to take a picture of it until this day. I’d been doing some pretty heavy thinking for two days. You see when I took this picture I was 60 years and one day old. The day before had been my birthday. I’ve never given age any thought at all. Each year I celebrated the day and that was that. I didn’t care how old I was. I never felt as old as the numbers said anyway. This year was different. Sixty is a major milestone and it had not started out too well. On the morning of my birthday I woke up with a stomach virus. Now, I’m telling you that is NO fun on your birthday. That means no visits from family, no party; not even a cake. Looking on the bright side though, I lazied around in bed all day. My daughter and her three boys called and sang Happy Birthday to me. My son’s oldest boy drew me a birthday card, his mother took his picture holding it, and emailed it to me. I received birthday cards in the mail,  several phone calls, and also enjoyed birthday wishes on FB. Seriously, that’s a pretty special day. Just think what it would have been like with no phones or internet service!! Thankfully it was only a 24 hour bug, so bright and early the next day I was out walking.
 

I always walk with my camera, so when I walked across the arrow I backed up, stopped and took a picture to represent a start of a new year. Where will this year take me? What will I  do? Where will I travel with my camera? Will I use my year wisely?

To celebrate this year I’ve started not one, but two 365 projects. One is called “where I am.”  I’m taking a picture each day of my feet and what I’m doing. The second is “seeking the light.” I want to capture all the small things that bring me joy and photograph them paying special attention to light. I also started a “joy jar” where at the end of each day I jot down one moment that brought me joy.  You see, I want to celebrate this entire year. I’m so very grateful to be 60, to be healthy, and to be loved. I want my life to be a reflection of that.

 

Photo-Heart Connection ~ May 2013

 

 

I watched the ladybug as she slowly climbed this leaf. It was almost a straight up climb. Did she know when she began her climb to the edge that it would be such a struggle? Was she worried? I’m sure she didn’t give this climb that much thought, after all if she starts to slide back down or fall, she can spread her wings and fly. She didn’t fall. She made it to the top edge and sat there in the sunlight. I think she was trying to dry the raindrops off her back.

 

As I watched her, I though about struggling and worrying. When I started seriously learning about photography, I had no idea it could be such a struggle. I guess I thought learning my camera would be enough, but it’s not. Good images have to come from the heart and lately that hasn’t been the case with me. I’m in a rut…a big rut. If you read my blog, you know that I’ve mentioned this a time or two recently! My camera just sits in it’s case. Taking pictures seems to be a waste of time. After all, I’ve pretty much been deleting about every picture I’ve taken, that does exclude family shots. I do keep those!

 

I’m like the ladybug, she's struggled to climb to the top of the leaf and I’m struggling to climb out of my rut. She wasn’t worried about falling back down the leaf and I’m not worried about climbing out of the rut I’m in. I know through patience, perseverance, and practice I’ll reach the top and find joy in photography again. Instead of being discouraged and frustrated, I’m spending this time pursuing other interest and creative projects.

 

Never know what you can learn from nature, do you?

 

 

Photo-Heart Connection ~ April 2013

 

I have this problem of looking down when I walk. Sometimes that's a good thing. It has saved me from tripping over uneven sidewalks, stubbing my toe, and stepping on gum. It does have it's disadvantages. I miss a lot of what's above me, but staying on my feet at my age does seem to be important!  Anyway, as I walked around a historic neighborhood, where the sidewalks were cracked and very uneven, I was doing my usual looking down trying to keep myself upright when I spotted this shadow of a tree. I was drawn to the jumbled mess of branches going every which way. I stopped, took a picture and  moved on. When I was looking for a photo that connected with me for this month's Photo-Heart Connection with Kat Eye Studio, I kept coming back to this one.

 

When I look at the shadow I see chaos. The lines all start from one place, but then branch out in a helter-skelter pattern; no rhythm or rhyme. This reminds me of how I feel.

 Out of rhythm

Out of order

Out of control

 

Each morning I begin the day thinking of what I'll get accomplished in the coming hours. Each night I lie down and look back over the day and realize I've accomplished very little. I start out the day with a plan, then I branch out in another direction to do "this." Before I finish "this" I've darted over to do "that." With "this" and "that" not finished, I find myself going in still another direction. My mind is scattered and chaotic which has led to feelings of being totally overwhelmed. My One Little Word this year is "focus." Totally unfocused is more like how I feel. I don't like chaos, I need productive days.

 

How do I get refocused and begin to finish things? I'm not sure. Maybe I'll make a short list with things I know I can finish tomorrow.  Better yet, maybe I'll just go on a photo walk, find a pretty place, capture a little beauty, and relax. I can always work on bringing order to my chaos another day. Right?

 

“The shorter way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time.”

~ Mozart

Photo-Heart Connection ~ March 2013

Have you noticed a lack of nature images on my blog lately

It’s not because I haven’t been trying

Nothing seems to be working

I can’t seem to take a decent picture

They seem blah

Lifeless

Boring

 

I am confused

What is wrong

 

I go outside

I walk

I take pictures

I come in, look at them, and delete them

 

I feel a little grumpy

Maybe a little down

I need to get outside

It is drizzling rain

I slip on my raincoat

I tuck my little camera in my pocket

 

I walk across the yard and into the woods

I walk slowly

Just a few steps at a time

 

I listen

I hear the raindrops

The tree frogs

The chattering birds

The water gurgling in the creek

 

I breathe deeply

 

I look closely at everything around me

I see signs of spring

Trees budding out

Woodland violets beginning to unfurl

Lichen growing on tree trunks and branches

 

I began to take pictures

I take tons of pictures

I keep just a few

That is fine

 

If one pictures connects with my heart

That is enough

 

The one that connected is the one you see above

All the little trails left by small bugs seem to begin at one place

From that point they wander around in different directions

In the middle of those trails I spotted this heart

 

This looks like it could be a little map of my wanderings

All the paths I’ve taken

All the adventures I’ve had

All centered around my love of nature

There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks.
Most of the time we are simply not patient enough,
quiet enough to pay attention to the story.
~ Linda Hogan

 

Photo-Heart Connection ~ February 2013

 

Books and reading have been on my mind lately. I've been thinking of some of my favorite childhood books; thinking how reading has always been an important part of my life. That thinking led me to take a walk along the creek behind our house and take a picture of this small peninsula.  I grew up a short distance from where I now live. When I was a child, the house I now live in didn't exist. The woods started behind my parents property and went on for miles. I remember taking my book and walking down to the creek. I would climb down the hill, sit in the shade of these trees, and read. My connection this month is purely sentimental. This is more than just another image taken in the woods behind our house, it's a part of my history. It brings joy to my heart.

 

There are perhaps no days of our childhood

we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book.

~ Marcel Proust 

 

Photo-Heart Connection ~ January 2013

This little branch basking in the afternoon light kept catching my attention. I finally stopped what I was doing and went for my camera. What was it that attracted my attention? It's ordinary. It has no gorgeous blooms. It’s simple. There's my answer;  simplicity.

When looking for an image for Photo-Heart Connection with Kat Eye Studio, I kept returning to this one. It reminds me to look for beauty in ordinary things. It reminds me to spend moments of my day in stillness. It reminds me to be thankful for the simple things in life.

 

The goal of life: simple, but not empty.

~Terri Guillemets

 

Photo-Heart Connection ~ December 2012

Squirrel nests fascinate me. The squirrel runs out on a limb, throws some sticks and leaves together, and moves right in! Their nests seem so badly constructed that a good wind would blow them down. This one is still up there after a recent wind, ice, and snow storm. I guess they're sturdier than they look!

 

Right now I feel very much like I'm out on a limb; precariously close to falling off. There are times when we must face facts and stand up for others who cannot speak for themselves. There are times when we hurt someone in order to help another. I'm in that position right now. I'm waiting for the storm to hit. It may be rough, but I do have support behind me. I know that on the other side there will be bright blue skies!

 

Linked with Kat Eye View Photo-Heart Connection

Photo-Heart Connection ~ November 2012

 

 

It's magical!

It's breathtaking!

 

What is magical and breathtaking?

Discovering a beautiful stem of seed pods!

 

I'm amazed when I hold a little pod full of seeds in my hands. I know that when it cracks open the seeds will be released on the wind or carried on the backs of animals. I've brushed a few seeds off myself after a walk in the woods. Amazing isn't it, that with the right conditions beautiful plants will emerge and start the life cycle all over again. Even though the branches are bare and the landscape looks stark, the tiny seeds are there ready for the next season.

 

Each little seed pod brings to me a sign of hope. It brings me happiness and peace. It reminds me that no matter what happens in my life, I have peace and happiness through the promise that the God who created these seeds is with me every step of the way.

 

 

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

Romans 15:13

Photo-Heart Connection ~ October 2012

The foundation of any building is the most important part of the structure. The strength and durability of a building depends upon it’s foundation. As I explored a small ghost town recently and began to take pictures of the crumbling structures that were built in about 1899, my eyes were drawn to their foundations. Foundations that were made with uneven rock, yet put together to form a solid base. This foundation doesn't look to sturdy, does it?  The boards in this old house have rotted and the roof has sagged, but, the foundation is still strong and standing.

 

It made me think...what about me? What kind of foundation do I built my life on? The foundation of my life is built on principles and actions. I’m so very grateful that I was raised in a strong Christian home that gave me a firm foundation. My foundation includes faith, honesty, integrity, and truth. I didn’t genetically inherit these principles. I was taught them and I continue to build my life on them.

 

Storms may and will come; troubles, bills, health problems, heartaches, and death! These things may shake me, but I’ll not be moved as long as I chose each day to continue building my life on these strong principles!

When I saw the foundations of these buildings, they reminded me of a wonderful old hymn.

 

How Firm a Foundation

How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can he say than to you He has said,

To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

 

Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,

For I am your God and will still give you aid;

I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

 

Linked with Kat Eye Studio and her Photo-Heart Connection,

where we choose an image from the month that has touched our hearts!

Photo-Heart Connection ~ September 2012

In celebration of imperfection...
 

 

 

As most of you know, I'm a macro addict. I am totally obsessed with the details and beauty in nature. To improve my skills I recently took a macro photography class. I was so enthusiastic at first;  read the lesson, get outside, find an object, and practice to get it perfect!  I pushed to get the perfect macro image, perfect light, perfect composition, and perfect focus spot every time. Did you notice the repeated word perfect?  I pushed to hard and as the month went on, I began to lose a little of my passion for macro. After all, this was hard work, very hard work with lots of details and camera settings to keep in mind. I think during the third week of class my shots were getting worse, not better. I struggled to find different subjects to photograph and post. I didn't want to keep posting the same old thing. I would walk around and all I saw were acorns, leaves, lichen, and mushrooms. I'd already taken hundreds of pictures of them.  I don't want to sound like I didn't like the class, because I did. It was a positive class with positive feed back. The teacher provided helpful suggestions when he critiqued our photos. I just put way to much pressure on myself to take the perfect shot every time.

 

This is why an out of focus photo of a mushroom touched me. I had my camera on the ground trying to shoot the underside edge of the mushroom and the light. As you can see my focus was off and the mushroom is blurry. I took many pictures at this angle and did get the one I wanted...the focus at just the perfect spot. The picture that meant the most to me though, came as a surprise when I uploaded them to the computer. There in that unfocused mushroom was a heart and it was the only picture that the heart showed up in!! A gentle reminder to me that I love nature. I love it's beauty, it's details, and the little surprises that are captured. I learned a lot in this class, but more importantly I learned to give myself a break. I wasn't going to flunk if I posted a less than perfect image. It was after all a class in which I joined to learn. If I were perfect, I wouldn't need the class or the help. I don't have to always capture the perfect image. I don't even have to post perfect images on my blog. I just have to love what I'm doing!

 

I'm linking this post to Kat's September Photo-Heart Connection. Click on the button below and read how others have connected to their photography this past month!  I think you'll enjoy the photos and the stories behind them. There's also still plenty of time to look through your September photos, find one that touches you, and share it on Kat's web sight, Kat Eye Studio.  Please join us!!

 

Photo-Heart Connection ~ August 2012

Sometimes you just run across something that makes you stop and take a second look. I was with my sister taking photos of the county courthouse in her town. I've become fascinated with historic buildings and their beautiful architecture. As I walked beside the courthouse, I glanced at the building next door and saw this hole in the outer layer of this old wall. Maybe it was crumbling or just plain ugly, I don't know, but the old brick wall was plastered over and then painted. I stopped grabbed one quick shot and moved on. Little did I know, how that photo would stick in my mind. I kept thinking about the pealing plaster and paint.

 

This wall reminds me of myself. It reminded me of the thick layer of fear and self-doubt that keeps me from doing many things. It reminded me how I try to paint over that fear with smiles, even though the anxiety and panic attacks are still there, deep inside. Since I began this journey into photography, I'm glad to say, that I'm finally beginning to peal away those layers and let the real, authentic me out!  I've even signed up this month for a macro photography class where thy critique your photos!!  Oh my, that's scary, putting my art out there to be criticised. It took me three days to get brave enough to register, but I did. Give me just a second while I peel away another layer of fear!!  I've had one photo critiqued and it wasn't as painful as I though it would be!!!  Somehow, having a camera in my hand makes me braver, more self-confident, and definitely brings out true smiles! I'll keep working on myself. With my new found confidence and my camera I feel like I can do so much more than I ever thought was possible!

Linking with Kat Eye Studio's Photo-Heart Connection where once a month we find a photo that connects with our hearts. I hope you'll take the time and visit Kat's site and read about the connections that others have found this month.

Photo Heart Connection ~ July

the sun is hot

the ground parched from lack of rain

even so, this beautiful wildflower

rises from the earth and blooms

it doesn't look withered

it doesn't even look hot

it is delicate, yet strong

fighting against difficulties

determined

an example to me

a reminder

that if I dig deep

I can find strength

to conquer what sometimes

seem impossible and overwhelming

with an inner strength this flower bloomed

with an innter strengh I can conquer my fear

Linked to Kat Eye Studio's Photo-Heart Connection.

Each month we choose a photo that captures our heart and link it to Kat's site! 

Photo Heart Connection ~ June

Some moments can’t be planned, they just happen. Call it what you want, serendipity or happenstance, but it happens to us all of us at the most unexpected place and time. I dropped by the library to see an exhibit and while I was there I walked around the garden on their grounds. There are beautiful flowers, a lovely pond with fountains, and a gazebo. As I walked into the gazebo I spotted a heart-shaped rock in the concrete floor. I bent down on one knee and took several pictures. As customary when I stood up I kind of moaned!! It’s hard for my old knees to get me off the ground! To my surprise, as I moaned, the sound resonated! It was soft and musical! How strange, a moan turns into musical sound. I stood there and hummed a little. The acoustics in this little gazebo were amazing. I began to hum the first tune that popped into my mind “Amazing Grace.” The sound, full and rich, reverberated off the ceiling and seemed to surround me. I don’t know how to describe how I felt. I was touched deep inside. The beauty that just my simple humming created brought tears to my eyes. When I look at this picture I will remember the moment clearly, the moment my heart sang as I hummed.

　

Music, when soft voices die
Vibrates in the memory -
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

I thought I should show you the little rock that led to this beautiful experience.

Linked to Kat Eye Studio and her Photo-Heart Connection.

Photo-Heart Connection ~ June 2012

Have you ever stopped to notice how many words surround us everyday? I’m not necessarily talking about the computer screen, the newspaper, or  the book your reading. I’m talking about small words that are randomly found, yet make us stop and think; little messages that we discover.

I don’t know how many times I’ve taken pictures of the rusty nails and holes in our old tin barn. I have a fascination with rust, it’s texture and it’s unexpected color. Here I was again at the barn taking pictures of the rusty hinges and lock when I noticed a word stamped into the shank…hardened. I know this is a good thing for a lock, but what if it referred to me. The word hardened is an adjective that means “having become or been made hard or harder: as in hardened steel."  That’s something that I don’t want to happen to me. I don’t want my heart to become hard as steel, unfeeling, and unsympathetic or callous. I don’t want to be known as the grouchy old lady next door or that cantankerous old woman. I know you’ve heard the elderly being characterized as crabby, cross, gripey, surly or bad-tempered. I can see how it would be so easy to let the hardships, heartbreak, and everyday struggles cause me to become bitter and hardened.

How can I stop that from happening to me? Will it help that I’m just aware of the possibility? I don’t think so. I think I need to begin right now and work each day to keep my heart open and responsive to others. There are things I can do beginning now…today!

• I can approach each day with a grateful heart. I may need to set aside a few minutes each morning to list maybe just three things that I’m grateful for.
• When I’m faced with a situation that makes me angry or stressed, I can force myself to get outside, go for a walk and notice something beautiful. It might just be a simple flower or the song of a bird or the color of the sky. Nature can give me a peaceful feeling.
• I can’t control what happens around me, but I can control my own emotions. When things seem tough, I can reach for something inspirational to read or listen to. My number one book for inspirational reading is, of course, the Bible, but there are many other sources where I can reach for help. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just a few lines of encouragement.

Maybe this is on my mind because I turn 59 this week. I’m not elderly, but I am getting older. It would be so easy to slip into a negative attitude. I’ll let this little word I discovered remind me to be positive, to keep on smiling, to be filled with gratitude, and not let my heart be hardened.

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, won or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."    ~ Denis Waitley

I'm linking my post today with Kat Eye Studio's Photo-Heart Connection. Maybe  you'd like to click on the button above and join us or to read other Photo-Heart stories.

Photo-Heart Connection ~ April

Roses, growing wild, abandoned, uncared for, yet they bloom.  They bloom along the road where I walk, so I see them every day.  They remind me of my grandmother, known to all as Nannie.  My memory takes me back about 50 years when I was a little girl.  We attended the same  small country church as my grandparents.  I can still remember the wooden slat pews, the tan hymnals, and I definitely remember the heat, there was no air conditioning.  Nannie had several flower gardens and red climbing rose bushes.  During the summer she loved to take vases of her flowers and place them on the communion table.  Sometimes she would take her roses.  She would just cut off a long stem covered in roses and place them on top of the old upright piano. She always placed a white, crocheted, oblong doily under them.  I can still remember the smell that permeated the small church.  As I pass these roses I smile, I remember, and I breath their sweet scent!!

Linked to Kat Eye Studio Photo-Heart Connection