Summary: Kate Jones offers two affirmations in this video.The first focuses on letting go, releasing any tense hold we have on people, places, events and things.The second centers on forgiving everything, everyone and all experiences needing forgiveness.

Background: This is Kate. When I was in my 20s, I started doing two amazing affirmations thanks to my first husband. That was a long time ago, so the details of their origins are fuzzy. I think he learned them from a couple of women friends who were involved with the Unity Church. I always thought that there was a connection between these affirmations and Unity, though I've not been able to confirm that by searching online. Recently, however, I Googled the first line of the "letting go" affirmation, and this is what Google's AI came up with: "That is a wonderful mantra focusing on acceptance and releasing attachment to external factors. This perspective can bring about a sense of inner peace and freedom. By letting go of rigid control over people, situations and material possessions, you open yourself up to experiencing life with greater flexibility, resilience and serenity. It's a practice of mindfulness and trusting in the natural flow of life."

So then I Googled the first line of the second affirmation about forgiving, and AI came up with this: “The phrase 'I forgive everything, everyone, every experience from the past or present' is a powerful affirmation for radical forgiveness, a practice to release resentment, find inner peace, and free oneself from past hurts by consciously letting go of anger and choosing love or acceptance, often through repetition in meditation or prayer, recognizing it as a gift to oneself for healing and growth, not necessarily condoning actions but releasing their power over you.”

I think AI did a great job summing up these affirmations. I incorporated them into my life decades ago and have found them to be great tools for growth and healing. I hope they're useful for you as well. Also want to mention that although the speaker here is a woman (me), just change the wording so that it's right for you.

One other note: The thumbnail picture of the awe-inspiring interior of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona was taken in 2024 by my husband, Bernie Jones, for whom I'm grateful for our life together and the marvelous places we've visited. Speaking of gratitude, I also thank my former husband for introducing me to life-enhancing spiritual tools including the affirmations in this episode.

This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation®, available on YouTube and in major podcast directories including Apple, Spotify, iHeart and Audible.

Each one of us can spread a little love in the world with just a smile or a kind word. And when we join together with other like-minded individuals, our positive influence grows exponentially. That's the effect that Impact100 has in communities throughout the U.S. and in England, Australia and New Zealand.

You can learn about Impact100 in this interview with Brooke Potrzeba, who first got involved with the nonprofit organization in Pensacola, Florida, before moving to Ohio in 2024. Brooke is founding president of the Cleveland chapter, the 76th chapter worldwide.

Impact100 gives $100,000 grants to nonprofits that can make transformative improvements to their communities. For more information, check out impact100cleveland.org or impact100global.org.

This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation®, available on YouTube and in major podcast directories including Apple, Spotify, iHeart and Audible.

"THE LIGHT" is an 18-page illustrated board book designed to empower youngsters with themes of self-connection, self-trust and self-love. Author Scarlett Lam and illustrator Mindy Lee have found that adults also are moved by the book's uplifting message.

This short excerpt is from an interview that Scarlett and I recorded in early 2024 not long after the book was published. I highly recommend "THE LIGHT" and have revisited the interview more than once. So far, I've purchased four copies of the book and have given three of them away. The recipients love it too because it reminds people of their inner light and worth.

To buy your own copy, go to readthelight.com. Scarlett is offering 10% off with the code EVERYDAYCREATION10, good through 2025.

This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation®, available on YouTube and in major podcast directories including Apple, Spotify, iHeart and Audible.

This is the sixth and last excerpt from a longer conversation (Episode 121) with philanthropist and author Iris November and two of her daughters: the Rev. Rachel Hollander, also an author, and Anita Hollander, an actress, singer and songwriter who joined us on Zoom from New York City.

In previous excerpts, we talked about Iris' two books; Anita's long professional career as well as her activism on behalf of performers with disabilities; and Rachel's book about living (and thriving) with depression vs. suffering from it. We also talked about the death of Iris' husband when he was only 48 and how his sudden passing affected the family.

To honor the memory of Bernard (Bud) Hollander, a lawyer, Iris set up an award to be given to a law school student who exemplifies her husband's unwavering commitment to public service. It first was presented in May 2025 and thereafter will be an annual award.

In this episode, we start off with Iris' knitting group, Yarn Over Beachwood, and then we touch upon the Statue of Liberty Club, which she founded. From there, we move on to the thoughtful practice of leaving a legacy that benefits future generations. The public service award honoring Bud Hollander is an example of that.

The episode ends with Anita singing an original song, "Beyond," inspired by some words that her father had jotted down about the importance of leaving something beneficial behind. You'll find the lyrics to Anita's beautiful song at the end of this episode's transcript.

To hear a professionally recorded version of "Beyond," go here. And go here to learn about Rev. Rachel's online spiritual community, SpiritsHome. By the way, the Beachwood Library mentioned in this episode is in Ohio on Cleveland's East Side.

This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation®, available on YouTube and in major podcast directories including Apple, Spotify, iHeart and Audible.

In this fifth excerpt from a longer conversation, Iris November and daughters Anita Hollander and Rev. Rachel Hollander, talk about how the family struggled in the aftermath of the sudden passing of Iris' husband, Bernard "Bud" Hollander. Father of Anita, Rachel and their sisters, Celia Hollander Lewis and Lisa Hollander, he was the "cornerstone of our family," Rachel says.

Iris was 42 at the time of her husband's fatal heart attack, and she quickly had to shoulder household responsibilities she had never handled before. Far worse, the family faced multiple health crises shortly after Bernard's death. Despite the many hardships, mother and daughters express deep gratitude for their lives and for each other.

If this short episode piques your interest to hear more, please check out the other excerpts or the full interview, which is Episode 121.

This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation®, available on YouTube and in major podcast directories including Apple, Spotify, iHeart and Audible.

In this fourth excerpt from a longer interview with Iris November and daughters Anita Hollander and Rev. Rachel Hollander, the conversation revolves around lost loved ones and how they can be remembered in positive and joyful ways. Iris envisions her two late husbands helping her out when she needs something; Rachel performs personalized songs for those who have passed. What could have been a somber discussion instead gravitates toward joy. If you have a few minutes, please join us. And if you have more time to spare, please check out the other excerpts or the full episode (#121) itself.

This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation®, available on YouTube and in major podcast directories including Apple, Spotify, iHeart and Audible.

Rachel Hollander is an InterFaith/InterSpiritual minister and the author of "From There to Here: An Insider's Guide to Navigating the Darkness," a captivating book about living with depression.

Rachel also is a performer who is skilled in American Sign Language, and she has a great podcast that you can access from her website. If you love dogs, you may want to check out the specific show about Maddie, her late canine companion. It's mystical and quite lovely. Also on Rachel's website, you can buy her book and find out about her spiritual center, SpiritsHome. By the way, I had mentioned in the interview that I was two-thirds through Rachel's book. It didn't take me long to finish and I highly recommend it.

This is the third excerpt from a longer show (Episode 121) with Rachel, her sister Anita Hollander, and their mom, Iris November, three remarkable women who are creative and good-humored, as well as extraordinarily candid about how they've dealt with devastating loss.

This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation®, available on YouTube and in major podcast directories including Apple, Spotify, iHeart and Audible.

Anita Hollander, a multi-talented performer and advocate, says she was born to be a performer, following in the footsteps (and footlights) of her grandmother. In this excerpt from a longer conversation, Anita talks about her performing career, which began when she was 8 years old.

Anita also is a passionate advocate for performers with disabilities, and she is one herself. While still in college, she was diagnosed with cancer in her leg and eventually had to have the leg amputated. That didn't stop her from returning to the stage, however. On Oct. 8, Anita received the Harold Russell Award as part of the Media Access Awards in Hollywood. A replay of the awards ceremony will have its broadcast debut Nov. 5 on PBS CoCal Plus.

To learn more about Anita, please visit her website. Also, you can go to YouTube to watch "Still Standing," her first one-woman cabaret show, and her second one, "Spectacular Falls." Anita also mentions "From Where I Sit," and you'll find that video on YouTube as well.

This is the second excerpt from an extraordinarily candid conversation with philanthropist and author Iris November and two of her four daughters: Rev. Rachel Hollander, also an author, and Anita. All three are accomplished and delightful. For the full interview, please go to Episode 121.

This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation®, available on YouTube and in major podcast directories including Apple, Spotify, iHeart and Audible.