DISQUS

I just ran this question by my life partner. His response? "Yes!" And then, when I said, "Essential??" he responded, "I think the only thing essential to your happiness is your outlook."

To me? I wouldn't say it's essential, but it sure is nice knowing that I have a life partner I went through a lot of other less-than-optimal relationships to be ready for, and that the same goes for him. Getting to the point of saying, "I'd rather be alone and happy versus with someone and frustrated" and THEN finding him felt perfect...truly a letting go that led to being fully ready to be with him. To that end, he's the icing on my "wholeness cake"!

Thank you for this article! The only thing I'd add is that we, as a culture, desperately need the journey to be about moving toward VIBRANT HEALTH! Losing weight can be a GREAT side effect of becoming vibrantly healthy, but, to me, shouldn't be the end point of the journey. I think you inferred this a lot in your article. The last paragraph just caught my eye in terms of the language and where readers are pointed. And, in addition to creating our own vibrant health, if we're really doing the process justice, we can aid in moving our planet back to vibrant health, too! :)

Passionate, Curious, Clear, and sometimes Swirling

WOW. Thank you for this articulate view of today's holiday and your struggle with it. I've wrangled with these feelings myself, especially as I said goodbye this a.m. to a 19-year-old nephew visiting from the nearby Marine base where he's stationed, awaiting deployment to Iraq in January. How does one support someone they love while being morally opposed to what they're committing their life to? It's a tough one, to be sure. You've given me more fodder in my thoughts. Many thanks.

My self worth is defined by how closely I live within my own integrity. Hmmm...and as I type that, I think there must be something beneath that idea that's actually along the lines of trusting and believing that I have a core purpose-a reason for being on this planet at this time with all of you-that has intrinsic value. THAT is core, unshakable, unarguable self worth that we each have in us. Then, on a daily basis, my FEELINGS of self-worth seem to shift depending on how I am or am not living in congruence with my core purpose. Wow. Great question!

Thank you so much for this article! Although I don't have kids myself, many of my close friends do, and I've already sent this on to them. You can bet I'll be listening for the resonance when I hang out with my family-of-choice nieces & nephews, and encouraging those sparks with attention, enthusiasm and love!

Your words also speak to the value of coach-like listening and inquiry when we're with kids...not being attached to what comes up, but truly wanting their truth to come out and be nurtured. Is there anything more important?! (At the very least, it's in the top 3-5 things kids truly need to grow up and be fulfilled, engaged, thinking people in the world!)

Tell the truth, in the moment, with calm, searing clarity and deep love. Every day.