Relationships + Society

The union. The bliss. The bind…Friendship is EVERYthing.

The union. The bliss. The bind…Friendship is EVERYthing.

I want to go deep into this conversation about creating Fulfilling Friendships. I’ve got lots to say about engaged listening, self respect, breaking up (when necessary), and celebrating our friend-loves. I’ve also got plenty of opinions and practices for self-compassion, deep spiritual devotion, healthier relationships with our damn phones, and better quality sleep.

Self respect is a spiritual practice.

Self respect is a spiritual practice.

We fight for causes, for relationships, for our children, for our co-workers… but it can be terrifying to fight for ourselves. This is where sisterhood is particularly powerful. When our girlfriends see us over-extending, and they look us in the eye and say, “Stop. You don’t need to do this.”

Shadow work:  bringing it into the light.

Shadow work: bringing it into the light.

Self-compassion is the most powerful light source on the inner shadow. Shine it on the full spectrum of your pain (from the ancient to the recent) and keep loving what you find in the dark. This is good parenting for your soul. Keep looking, keep listening, keep loving your wounds… and your radiance—your inherent, never-leaving, second nature radiance—will astound you.

You do not need to feel “worthy” of what you want in order to manifest it.

You do not need to feel “worthy” of what you want in order to manifest it.

Manifestation is a technology. And like all technologies, I pray we’ll use it appropriately: to generate more loving realities for ourselves and each other. All the material stuff can be fun, and we deserve comfort and ease—without question. But let’s get on with manifesting fresh air, and clean water, and relationships that nourish and heal. And on the way to doing that, self-worth will unfold. We will be manifesting love.

New holiday traditions, to sweeten the chaos

New holiday traditions, to sweeten the chaos

There’s a lot about the holidays I look forward to. The beautiful rituals, and being with people I love, and Jesus (one of my true loves). But… there’s a lot about the holidays in North America that I could do without. So I try to keep this season as gentle as possible. Here’s my way of sweetening the chaos and creating beauty that doesn’t weigh heavy on Mother Earth…

So, is this a gift, or a transaction? Because…your entire life is not a business deal.

So, is this a gift, or a transaction? Because…your entire life is not a business deal.

I’ve been thinking a lot about transactional giving these days. I’ll tweet about you if you tweet about me. They owe me a favour. You listen for five minutes to them so they’ll listen when it’s your turn to talk. Even Stevens. Transactional giving can be a beautiful commerce of support, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that interplay. But if all of our giving is to secure our getting…then, well, it’s gross.