What if one of life’s quiet superpowers is noticing?

What if noticing those things brings you closer to knowing yourself, to connecting with yourself, to cherishing yourself?

Sounds like pretty powerful stuff for a no-cost, simple act, and yet we don’t do it nearly enough.

In this episode, I reflect on the third lesson my mother taught me: take notice of little, beautiful things, especially nature. Through spoken word poetry, memories of my mom, reflections on motherhood, and the wisdom of Mary Oliver, we explore how noticing beauty through our five senses can ground us, soften regret, and reconnect us to purpose.

From ocean water and wild geese to ginger flowers, scallops, and morning birdsong, this episode is an invitation to slow down, savor, and sit with the small moments that quietly save us.

Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat.

If you like the podcast, visit my website: lettheverseflow.com for more inspirational insights and resources, and sign up for Flow & Voice, a free monthly note with short, practical reflections on creativity and personal growth, plus occasional behind-the-scenes glimpses into my audio storytelling journey.

Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe.

Songs in this episode: Midnight Memory by Chelsea McGough; Some Kind of Wonderful by Nu Alkemi$t; Con Sazón by In This World

Poem: A Day of Greening

Resources:

Mary Oliver reading of Wild Geese (On Being Podcast)

Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver (contains poem: When I am Among the Trees)

Related Episodes:

Recognize the Good in Others — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 2) – Episode #65

Let People Know You Love Them — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 1) - Episode 64

Journal Prompts:

1. Take your journal to your favorite park, beach, pasture or creek and write about beautiful, little things that you notice with your five senses.

2. Write a one-page story about the life of a beautiful object, animal or nature scene.

3. Answer this question: What beautiful, little thing do you keep around for comfort? Why?

Please subscribe & leave a review if today’s episode helped you notice little, beautiful things in the natural world. 💜💛

Follow Jill on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillhodgevo/

Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com

Let the Verse Flow is part of Jill Hodge’s voice actor and audiobook narration work. Learn more at jillhodgevo.com.

This episode continues my 10-part series What My Mama Taught Me, reflecting on the wisdom, values, and way of being my mother embodied. Telling her stories and sharing her kindness and unique perspective help me honor her memory as I continue to grieve. It also encourages us to lean into loving, kind values during these troubling times.

In Lesson #2 — Recognize the Good in Others, I discuss how quickly we categorize people based on outward appearance, and how much we miss when we do. Through poetry, personal storytelling, and memories of my mother’s open-hearted approach to life, this episode invites us to move beyond labels and into real human connection.

As a biracial woman, I reflect on the experience of being misread and classified, and why first impressions rarely tell us anything meaningful about who someone truly is. My mother met people with curiosity, kindness, and respect, recognizing the good in others without assumptions.

Let's explore how compassion, nonjudgment, identity, and acceptance can deepen relationships with others and ourselves.

Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat.

If you like the podcast, visit my website: lettheverseflow.com for more inspirational insights and resources, and sign up for Flow & Voice, a free monthly note with short, practical reflections on creativity and personal growth, plus occasional behind-the-scenes glimpses into my audio storytelling journey.

Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe.

Songs in this episode: Cream Soda by BRASKO; Some Kind of Wonderful by Nu Alkemi$t; Con Sazón by In This World

Poem: We Made It Out

Related Episodes:

Let People Know You Love Them — Lessons My Mama Taught Me (Part 1) - Episode 64

Journal Prompts:

1. How are you recognizing the good in others? What does that look like for you?

2. Do you judge other people as an extension of self-judgment? Explore that dichotomy.

3. Write about a friendship of acceptance. Who do you accept unconditionally, and how does that enrich your life?

Please subscribe & leave a review if today’s episode helped you recognize the good in others. 💜💛

Follow Jill on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillhodgevo/

Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com

Let the Verse Flow is part of Jill Hodge’s voice actor and audiobook narration work. Learn more at jillhodgevo.com.

This episode begins a 10-part series, What My Mama Taught Me: 10 Life Lessons on Compassion, Creativity, and Courage, inspired by the wisdom, love, and example of my mother. Today's lesson (#1): Let people know you love them.

Over the next 10 episodes, I’ll discuss one piece of wisdom she taught me, weaving together personal stories, reflections on grief, caregiving, creativity, and compassion, along with thoughts on how these lessons can help us live more meaningful, connected lives.

Today’s episode explores the practice of saying “I love you”—a simple act that can feel complicated, especially in the context of loss, caregiving, and end-of-life transitions. I hope it offers comfort to listeners navigating grief, caregiving for aging parents, mother–daughter relationships, or the emotional complexity of loving deeply.

As I reflect on my mother’s passing after years of caring for her through Alzheimer’s, I share how expressing love openly became a source of comfort, healing, and open-heartedness—for both of us.

Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat.

If you like the podcast, visit my website: lettheverseflow.com for more inspirational insights and resources, and sign up for Flow & Voice, a free monthly note with short, practical reflections on creativity and personal growth, plus occasional behind-the-scenes glimpses into my audio storytelling journey.

Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe.

Songs in this episode: La Fin Du Blonde by Tony Sopiano; Some Kind of Wonderful by Nu Alkemi$t; Con Sazón by In This World

Poem: "I Love You" Was Said

Resources:

When caregiving feels like prayer (NPR interview with writer Jason Reynolds): https://tinyurl.com/54p6repx

Journal Prompts:

1. Write a love letter to a friend, parent, family member, or partner that conveys why you love them so much. What qualities are most lovable about them?

2. Write about a difficult relationship and ask yourself if there is any way to release anger or bad feelings by leaning into compassion for them? How does that make you feel?

3. What lovable qualities are present in your relationships, and which ones are you still seeking?

Please subscribe & leave a review if today’s episode helped you express love for someone else. 💜💛

Follow Jill on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillhodgevo

Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com

Let the Verse Flow is part of Jill Hodge’s voice actor and audiobook narration work. Learn more at jillhodgevo.com.