The New Secret to Being Emotionally Healthy, Fit, and Happy for Life

Most of us have times when we catch ourselves in very critical self talk. If we fail to go to the gym, eat a sugary treat, have too much to drink, miss a deadline at work, for some of us, it's very easy to start in on ourselves. But health experts say negative self talk is counter productive and ruins our motivation to stay fit, make healthy choices, and be more responsible. Here is a brief article with some excellent thoughts on how to give ourselves some slack even when we mess up. See it here: Self-Compassion

Treasure your relationships

Relationships are often difficult. Whether it's a friendship, a marriage, a partnership, a dating relationship or parenting, they each one require a lot of effort if they are to be healthy and loving. Here is a brief essay to remind us how to make them work well. See it here: Treasure your relationships

To get the most out of the relationship you are in...

"To get the most out of the relationship you are in, it won't be helpful to listen to the ego's stories about it.  They will only bring separation and conflict.  Essence (our true nature) would tell a different story about your loved one.  It would probably be something like this: 'This person is in my life for me to love to the best of my ability.  Let's see what happens if I do that.'  As Essence, we are here to serve others and serve Life.  The ego, on the other hand, is all about serving self." ~ From, What about Now? Reminders for Being in the Moment, by Gina Lake

Which person in our life means the most to us?

"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares." — Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey

Secret Sorrow

Believe me, every person has their secret sorrow, which the world knows not, and oftentimes we call a person cold when they are only sad. —HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Wisdom About Love

"Sometimes the one who is running from the Life/Death/Life nature insists on thinking of love as a boon only. Yet love in its fullest form is a series of deaths and rebirths. We let go of one phase, one aspect of love, and enter another. Passion dies and is brought back. Pain is chased away and surfaces another time. To love means to embrace and at the same time to withstand many endings, and many many beginnings- all in the same relationship." 
— Clarissa Pinkola Estés (Women Who Run with the Wolves)

Your Understanding Voices

"The human voice, if it is an understanding one, is an almost spiritual vehicle." – Jules Supervielle, French Poet


Who are the understanding voices in your life?  The people or person whose voice carries warmth and reassurance, wisdom and helpful guidance?  Let them know what they mean to you.


In the work of encouragement we all need at least one person whose voice is comfort, whose presence is encouragement.


The goal is to become ourself an understanding voice we hear within and we share with those we love.