In our busy lives, it’s easy to overlook the reasons behind our choices. How often do we take action out of genuine alignment with our values versus simply following an ingrained sense of obligation? Understanding the difference can be transformative. Today let’s dive into the world of choices, particularly exploring the concepts of primary and secondary choices, and how becoming conscious of these can help us live more authentically.

What Does It Mean to Have a Choice?

At its core, a choice is something you can either do or not do—it’s that simple. But in society, the term choice is often used interchangeably with obligation. When you feel obliged to do something, the element of freedom is lost, leaving you with compliance rather than true choice. This blurring between choice and obligation can have a profound impact on how we navigate our lives and relationships.

For instance, think about commitments. Once we commit to something, we often feel that we must...

Do you ever experience that uncomfortable feeling when you want something but can’t have it right away? It’s that inner tension, that sense of unease that sometimes feels overwhelming and even triggers conflict within us. Today, we’re exploring how to deal with this tension and turn it into an opportunity for personal growth.

We all experience moments of frustration when we don’t immediately get what we want. It'st’s important to recognize that our discomfort often stems from an unconscious pattern we’ve developed over time. These patterns are rooted in the stories we tell ourselves about our desires and the perceived obstacles in our way.

When we say, “I want this, but I can’t have it,” we’re often reinforcing a belief that creates tension. It’s not the situation itself that causes the discomfort but rather the meaning we attach to it. These stories can make the tension feel thicker, almost like heavy rubber bands...

This year, I made a conscious decision to deepen my connection with my horse, Finn. My intention was to work with him in such a way that we could communicate effortlessly, moving in sync without the need for a halter or lead rope. Achieving this level of understanding required patience, practice, and a keen awareness of the subtle cues between us.

To develop this mutual feel, I began by using a halter and lead rope, applying only the lightest pressure necessary to capture his attention. Horses are incredibly sensitive creatures; they can feel a fly land on their skin despite their thick coats. Knowing this, I focused on being mindful of the pressure I used when guiding him—whether inviting him to move right or left, back up, turn in a circle, or move forward. Each gentle movement was a step toward our ultimate goal: to dance together freely.

I recall my time with another horse, Aragon, a big, beautiful black gelding with whom I loved to dance. He has since moved on to greener...

Hi there, I wanted to take a moment to connect with you from a special place—my sanctuary. This morning, I decided to step outside, find my swing, and simply be in nature. From where I sit, I can see my chickens roaming freely, a flock of quail darting through the brush, and the vast expanse of the pasture stretching out before me. It's one of those peaceful fall mornings where the gentle breeze and fresh air feel like a gift.

As the seasons shift from summer to fall, I’ve noticed a bit of a transition within myself. I’ve always loved the warmth and energy of summer, and there’s a part of me that wasn’t quite ready to let it go. Have you ever felt that way? Those moments when something in your life is so lovely, so full of light, that you wish it could last just a little longer? But, as we all know, change is inevitable. It’s woven into the fabric of life, constantly guiding us from one season to the next.

Lately, I’ve been growing my...

I found my way to Nonviolent Communication and Interpersonal Neurobiology out of desperation to experience something different, and gratefully have received a TON of empathy support over the years. Being held in a container of warmth, understanding, and acceptance, has allowed the embedded patterns of my conditioning to unravel and new neural pathways of resilience to lie down in my nervous system. As I consistently received resonant empathy support, over time I developed my own resonating self-witness. 

This inner-witness is not simply a compassionate voice; it is a deeply responsive, warmly curious, and generous voice. These new pathways empower us to live into a new way of being in our relationships, with ourself, and with others. 

I remember receiving a correspondence from someone who began their communication acknowledging the value they experience for the gifts I bring into the world, and I noticed how my heart felt soft and open in response. The next sentence,...

What is at the root of ruptures in relationships? Is it possible to stay engaged? Have you ever experienced meeting another person and everything felt like it clicked? You finish each other's sentences and rift off the meaning underlying whatever concept you are exploring? Ahhh... the enjoyment of budding new relationships filled with infinite possibilities! It's likened to a "honeymoon" experience in relationships with powerful attractor fields at play.

What was it like when the "honeymoon" was over? When things didn't unfold as you had predicted or hoped for? When the first unexpected wrinkle in the smooth interactions was noticed - what was your felt experience in that moment? 

Perhaps your body paused in contraction, your brow furrowed, and you noticed you were unable to speak. Did you hold your breath?

Maybe your spine straightened, and you leaned forward aggressively, as a compulsion to take action was sparked within you "to communicate, take control, or set things...

Why do wealth and health so often intersect for wise people? And how can you become one of them? If you could be paid to do what you love – what would you be being paid to do? Notice the first image or thought that springs up. How does that feel in your body?

Are you aware that in many ways your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, visualizations, and aspects of your spiritual life like prayer and meditation, can change the energy field of your body in a way that affects your gene regulation? And the genes most readily affected by them are your stress genes. The wealthiest and best-informed people have had access to this kind of information many years ahead of the general public.

The connection between unresolved emotional trauma and disease is one of the most well-established links in medicine today. Yet new research reveals that when a subject vividly recalls a past trauma, and then applies an energy therapy, the emotional trauma attached to the memory often dissipates...