Jasmine Devotions
A heartfelt journey of breath, memory, and mindfulness.
Mother’s Day Blessing - May 12, 2025
Read full reflections & what inspired it below.
Welcome to Jasmine Devotions, a soul-nourishing series inspired by my memoir Jasmine in the Wind. Each entry offers a gentle quote, a whisper of reflection, and an evening prayer—rooted in love, memory, and the quiet guidance of my Ba Noi, my paternal grandmother.
Drawn from her spirit and the gentle resilience of jasmine blooming through time, these devotions invite you to slow down, breathe deeply, and be present.
May each reflection invite you to rediscover your own essence of love, memory, or guidance—from your person, or from the sacred presence that speaks quietly to your soul.
Linda West
-
May 12, 2025
“A mother’s love does not end—it echoes through generations.”
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
We honor the hearts that give without asking.
The hands that comfort without pause.
The spirits who guide—whether near, far, or already returned to the stars.To every mother, grandmother, godmother, and soul who has ever mothered—
your love is a quiet miracle.
Seen or unseen, your presence matters.
And your sacrifice, your tenderness,
your way of placing others before yourself—
is felt more deeply than words can say.May you be honored, not just today, but every day.
Because your love is not ordinary.
It is sacred.(Inspired by the memory of my Ba Noi, my paternal grandmother.
Whenever the breeze carries the scent of jasmine,
I feel her loving, comforting presence surrounding me. Happy Mother’s Day.) -
May 9, 2025
A Wind of Hope: In Honor of Pope Leo XIV
“Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.” — Pope Leo XIV🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
The wind carries something new—
a breeze of hope,
soft and certain.A voice rises—clear, compassionate, unafraid.
Not to divide, but to remind:
that love, when true,
belongs to all.We need not agree on every path—
but we can walk it with grace.
And when we choose love without measure,
we step closer to the kingdom Jesus imagined.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
May the world lean toward peace.
Toward leaders who speak with tenderness
and serve with strength.May we listen not just with ears,
but with conscience.
And may we remember—
the breeze of hope is always God coming through.(Today’s reflection was inspired by the arrival of Pope Leo XIV and the quiet hope his words stirred in me—a reminder that love without measure is still possible.)
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May 7, 2025
“There is a love that meets us where we are—and stays.”
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
May we remember:
God, Spirit, our ancestors—
they know us best.
They walk with us unseen,
guiding softly,
blessing quietly,
holding gently.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
May the light be just enough.
May the breath come easy.
And may we trust that
we are never alone.(Today’s reflection is inspired by a tender mix of emotions—moments of joy, challenge, uncertainty, and connection with loved ones. Through it all, I am held by my belief in God, Spirit, and my ancestors who walk with me unseen. I remain thankful—for breath, for presence, and for the quiet grace that helps me show up for love, with love.)
-
May 1, 2025
“May your next beginning be quiet, sure, and entirely yours.”
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
We step into May—
with the soft unfolding of petals.The world is in bloom.
And so are we.This season speaks in a quiet voice:
honor your past,
feel your breath,
embrace the gentle change within you.The next part of the journey
doesn’t always begin with a loud goodbye.
Sometimes, what’s next begins
with a quiet breath—
and the whisper: “I’m ready.”🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
May we welcome the quiet shift within us—
not rushed, not forced, but unfolding like spring.May we hold space for the stories that shaped us,
even the ones we never told out loud.And may we remember:
we don’t have to leap to begin again.
Sometimes, the softest step forward
is the most powerful one.(Today’s reflection was inspired by the quiet beauty of May’s arrival, a meaningful hike, heartfelt moments with family, and a spontaneous connection with a stranger. It’s a reminder that change doesn’t always begin with noise—sometimes, it starts with presence, memory, and a gentle, steady “yes.”)
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April 27, 2025
“Some healing is too sacred for words—it happens in the spaces between them.”🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Past and present met in a room filled with memory.We didn’t just honor a war—we honored the lives within it.
With hugs, tears, and shared silence,
we remembered what history often forgets:
hearts, broken and brave, still beating.Healing doesn’t always speak aloud.
Sometimes, it happens in the spaces between us.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
May we honor the stories that shaped us—
and the souls who walked through fire so we could walk in freedom.May we carry their memories gently.
May we listen with open hands.
And may we never forget:
the smallest moments—
a hug, a tear, a shared silence—
can be a bridge to healing.(This reflection was inspired by time spent with the Vietnam Veterans of America at the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War. This week marks 50 years since the war ended. Yesterday, we hugged, we connected—and healing began, as it always does, when stories are shared.)
-
“Sometimes the sky holds what the soul needs to hear.”
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
On a simple walk with my grand-dog,
the sky became a sanctuary.A soft prism of colors shimmered in a horizontal cloud—
purple at the center,
light radiating out like a breath from the heavens.A few steps later, another cloud appeared—
this one in the form of an angel.
No doubt. No hesitation. Just presence.And in that moment,
a quiet reassurance wrapped around me:
You are not alone.
You are being guided.
All will be well.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
May we trust the signs that find us:
A shimmer in the sky.
The shape of an angel.
The hush of a memory.Let them remind us:
We are held.
We are loved.(Today’s reflection came from a walk with my grand-dog. I looked up and saw a soft rainbow-colored cloud, and just a few houses from home—there it was, a cloud shaped like an angel. With my upcoming presentation for the Vietnam Veterans, and the nerves around it, that moment felt like Ba Noi—and maybe heaven too—reminding me I’m not alone, and everything’s going to be okay.
Later I realized, at the same time I was walking, my friend Pam was with her grand-dogs too. They were resting while she was writing about prisms—just a day after sending me photos of rainbow light. The synchronicity of it all felt like a shared whisper from the universe.)
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Even the jasmine flower takes a breath before it blooms.
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
There is joy.
There is pressure.
There is love trying to find its way through the noise.And when it all becomes too much—
pause.
Place your feet on the earth.
Feel the presence.
You do not walk alone.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
May you trust that the words will come,
the presence will guide you,
and the hearts before you will be softened—
not by your perfection,
but by your presence.(Today’s reflection is inspired by how I’m feeling right now: blessed by the support of friends and family, yet a little overwhelmed by commitments, and nervous about finding the words to speak from the heart at my upcoming presentation this Saturday.)
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Restore, not just landscapes—but dignity.
Reduce not just waste—but the distance between hearts.
Grow not just gardens—but grace.🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Today, on Earth Day, we remember:
the Earth is not just soil and sky—
it is shelter, path, breath, and belonging.And for those with no roof, no closet, no safe corner to rest—
the Earth is everything.Today, we met women in need of simple things:
a clean shirt, socks, a bar of soap.
But what we offered was more than supplies—
we offered connection.
And we received it in return.Because to care for the Earth
is also to care for those who walk upon it.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
Tonight, may we remember that healing the Earth
includes healing each other.When we share what we have,
when we walk gently beside one another,
we become part of the restoration.May this shared Earth find peace—
and may we be its humble caretakers.(Happy Earth Day. This was inspired by time spent this morning with Bennette with Matthew 25:34, a people to people group, that connect with the unsheltered people in Tucson, Arizona.)
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“Like a hummingbird at first light, he carried the bloom of new life—quiet, swift, and full of grace.” — Linda West
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Today, we remember a voice for the voiceless.
A champion for the poor.
A bridge between faiths, generations, and nations.In a world often divided,
he chose mercy over judgment.
Simplicity over grandeur.
And always—people over politics.He led with love, and walked with humility.
In life, he showed us how to care.
And now, as we mourn,
we also give thanks—
for the bloom of new life that begins beyond this world.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
Tonight, may we carry forward what he showed us:
Mercy over judgment.
Love over fear.
And humility, always.Let us tend the bloom of new life—
in how we live,
how we serve,
and how we love.(Today’s reflections are shared with Pope Francis in heart and mind.)
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Quote of the Day:
“Renewal arrives softly, like light through a crack.”Daily Whisper:
Today, on this Easter, some gather in prayer.
Some gather in gardens.
Some simply gather.But for all of us—something begins again.
A blooming.
A breath.
A quiet return to light.Evening Reflection:
Tonight, whether your renewal comes through faith, family, or fresh air—
may it remind you:Life returns.
Hope rises.
And grace still blooms.With the grace of God, may your heart rest in peace.
-
Quote of the Day:
“Gratitude is the quiet bloom of a heart made whole.”Daily Whisper:
On this Good Friday, the earth feels especially still—like it's remembering.And in that stillness, blessings arrive softly:
a hike with a soul sister,
baby deer with eyes like prayers,
time with family and cheering grandson as he does his personal best.These are the signs.
That love walks with us.
That grace does not forget.Evening Reflection:
Gratitude doesn’t always roar.
Sometimes it rests quietly on a boulder,
stands one breath away from a deer,
or drifts in like moonlight.And when we pause long enough to notice,
we find the sacred—not in grand gestures—
but in the everyday whisper:
“You are not alone.” -
Quote of the Day:
“Gratitude is a bridge between hearts.”Daily Whisper:
Sometimes healing begins with a simple thank you—spoken across time, borders, and silence.
Gratitude doesn’t need history to explain itself; it only needs a heart willing to remember.Evening Reflection:
We may never know the names of those who stood watch for us.
Still, we can whisper thanks into the wind—and trust that it finds its way. -
Quote of the Day:
“Gathering is an offering of Grace.”Daily Whisper:
Sometimes grace doesn’t arrive in grand gestures—it comes as a simple walk with someone you love. This morning, I walked with my grandson. Side by side, step by step, no rush, no agenda—just presence. In that quiet togetherness, I felt it: the soft embrace of grace.It reminded me that every time we gather—whether around a table, in a moment of conversation, or on a slow walk—we are answering grace’s gentle invitation.
Evening Reflection:
Today, I was reminded that to be with someone in stillness is enough. We don’t always need the right words. Just our presence, our listening hearts, our shared steps. That, too, is an offering.Tonight, I give thanks for the gift of gathering—for the souls we walk beside, and for the moments that return us to love.
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The ego whispers, “Be seen.” The soul responds, “Just serve.”
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Today I paused.
I listened to my heart.
In a moment of tension, I searched for grace.The ego wanted to be seen. The soul asked only to serve.
Love doesn't seek attention.
It simply shows up.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
Tonight, I ask for guidance—
To serve in quiet peace.
To give because it’s needed.
And to remember:
the soul serves, because that is what love does. -
Even in movement, there’s a still center.
Daily Whisper 🌿
Today, amidst the rush, I remember: There is calm within every step.
There is grace in every breath.
And there is a quiet center that holds me, no matter how fast the world spins.Evening Reflection 🌙
As the day settles, I embrace the stillness within.
The movement, the noise, the tasks—
All fade into the background,
And in that quiet center, I find my peace. -
Like the Pink Moon rising—love renews, blossoms, and reminds us that light always returns.
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Last night, under the soft glow of the Pink Moon,
light became more than light—it became love remembered.Two people, newly joined in love, shared laughter and warmth, as the moon rose gently above the ridgeline, witness to their beginning.
It wasn't only memory the moon stirred—
it was hope, unification,
the bloom of love meant to last.Full moons have long marked sacred timing,
symbols of renewal and trust in divine rhythm.So today, notice what’s rising in you.
Let it rise. Let it root.
Let it remind you:
you are held, your are love.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
The full moon casts its soft light over all—
even the places we try to hide.It does not demand. It simply shows up.
So do the ones we love, long after they’re gone.Not in form, but in fragrance.
Not in voice, but in whisper.
Not in presence, but in peace.Tonight, may you feel the moonlight on your skin.
May you know that love has not left.
It has simply taken on a new form—
light, grace, and the gentle call to begin again. -
🌼 Faith is the Anchor
Theme Quote:
Faith anchors. Trust steadies.🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
This world holds both light and shadow—
tenderness and unrest, hope and hardship.
But faith and trust can be our anchor.Even when the way ahead is unclear,
there are quiet moments that invite us to pause.
To breathe.
To remember we are not alone.So today, slow down.
Breathe deeply.
And trust that goodness still blooms, even here.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
Some days, the noise of the world grows loud.
But beneath it, there is stillness.Faith whispers: you are not alone.
Trust allows the soul to rest.Like jasmine on the wind—
a quiet reminder of grace,
a blessing that lingers.Tonight, exhale.
And feel held. -
In every blossom, a blessing is whispered. In every breath, presence blooms.
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
This morning, I sat near the grapefruit tree,
and listened to birdsong, a soft breeze,
and the quiet hum of life.The fruit is overripe, some have fallen,
and new blossoms release a sweet scent—
the tree gives and gives.It reminds me of her,
of the orchard in my old village,
of how love lingers long after the season passes.I breathe it all in.
And I whisper thank you.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
The blossoms fall,
but new ones are already blooming.I remember today’s breeze,
soft citrus air,
and how it held space
for stillness and grace.I rest tonight,
not searching,
just receiving.Stillness. Presence. Blessing.
-
In stillness, the breeze speaks what the soul needs to hear.
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Today, I moved slowly.The trail was steep.
The heat, relentless.
But the rock beneath held me,
and the breeze found me.I listened—to my breath, to my weariness, to my soul.
And when I paused, the wind answered:
You are enough. Rest.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
Stillness is not nothing.
It is grace.
And I rest tonight,
wrapped in breath and quiet. -
In nature, past, present, and future breathe as one—inviting us to be fully present.🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Today, I walk with nature’s timeless rhythm.
I breathe in the desert air,
feeling the past, present, and future merge within me.Each step reminds me that even in dry seasons,
beauty blooms.
I am present. I am whole.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
As the sun sets over the desert, I pause with the ocotillo—
its blossoms bold against the dry wind.
In stillness, I feel her presence.
The earth holds me, quietly.Peace is not the absence of hardship,
but the presence of connection.
To the land. To spirit. To breath.I rest tonight with the jasmine-scented wind,
the blossoms swaying,
and the sacred hush of presence. -
Grief is the echo of love—and I am still listening.
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Today, I hold both joy and sorrow in the same breath.
I remember Menina’s eyes, her softness, her loyalty.
The joy she gave me is still here—woven into my memory.And in the ache of letting go,
I imagine Ba Noi reaching for her with the same open heart
she gave to all sentient beings.
I breathe in their love.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
Tonight, the house feels quieter.
But in that quiet, I feel her—Menina—still near.
And I feel Ba Noi too,
her spirit wrapping Menina in love and light.No suffering. No pain. Just presence. Just peace.
I remember our walks,
time at the ocean,
her free spirit roaming wild
on the land we called home.I rest in that love and memories tonight—grieving, yes,
but also grateful.
Because I knew her love. Because her love is still here. -
Even in thunderous chaos, all is calm within.
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Today, I face a world that trembles.
Rights threatened, voices silenced, hearts burdened.
But in the quiet corners of my spirit, I remember:
Ba Noi’s incense.
The hush of the temple.
The jasmine in the breeze.I breathe in what calms me.
I carry that calm into the chaos.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
Tonight, I return to the stillness Ba Noi taught me.
Not through words, but through presence.
She found peace where war once echoed.
She lit incense where fear lingered.And now I do the same.
Though uncertainty surrounds me,
I light a candle in my heart
and rest in the scent of jasmine,
in the breath of chants I still remember.I am not untouched,
but I am unshaken.
Because I remember who I am. -
Even the smallest light is enough to soften the dark.
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Today, I offer the world gentleness.
A soft word, a quiet presence,
a breath full of hope.May I be the hush in the noise,
the jasmine in the wind,
the kindness that lingers longer than expected.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
Tonight, I trust that what I gave—
however small—was enough.A smile, a silence, a prayer sent without words.
Let it ripple outward,
finding those who need it most.I rest now in the arms of grace,
and leave behind a whisper of light. -
In the quietest winds, I hear her—rooted in stillness, she carries me.
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Today, I move slowly and with purpose.
I breathe in the memory of her grace—
Ba Noi’s jasmine-scented presence guiding my steps.Even when the world feels unsteady,
I am rooted in stillness.
I am her reflection—soft, strong, and full of breath.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
Tonight, I feel her in the hush between thoughts.
I remember her hands, her voice, her tai chi in the early light.
Each movement like water, each breath like prayer.I rest in stillness,
in the love that lingers long after the words fade. -
Breathe in jasmine, breathe out gratitude.
🌿 Daily Whisper 🌿
Breathe in grace, breathe out gratitude.
Breathe in jasmine, breathe out gratitude.Today, I choose stillness over rush,
Presence over worry,
Gratitude over fear.With each breath, I remember—
I am guided. I am grounded. I am loved.🌙 Evening Reflection 🌙
As the day settles, I return to breath.
I breathe in grace for what I did.
I breathe out gratitude for what I learned.The jasmine lingers in memory—
a whisper from Ba Noi,
reminding me that love never leaves,
and peace begins with presence.I rest now, held by quiet blessings.