We can all agree that fear exists. Depending on our previous exposure to fear and uncertainty or to the beliefs, attitudes, and depth of the self-care practices we have embraced, the idea of managing fear and uncertainty may be a relatively new concept for us.

Grief happens.

You have been dealing with Grief since the day you were born.

What do I mean by that? That sounds negative and pessimistic.

While there are different circumstances to every pregnancy and birth, on the day you were born, you left a temperature controlled safe environment where all your needs were met and you entered into a world of extreme contrast.

When walking on a beach, you are in nature’s stillness. You can choose to make it your stillness.

Picture yourself on a beach, or if you can — go to one.

On this beach, breathe in the sounds. Breathe in the sensations on your skin and let the taste of the salty air rest on your lips.

What a lovely, lovely beach. How wonderful it is to be here.

In Episode 3 of Our Stories, Dianna Edwards shares the difficult decision of realizing it was time for her to let her beloved dog, Patou, die.

I am on a train headed North to see my family for our annual summer “camp.” My brother and sister and their children will be gathered around my father’s home on the lake where we laugh, challenge each other to every sport imaginable and we reconnect as a family.

One of the most important things I do in my work and in my personal daily life is teach emotional intelligence. Whether I am teaching mindful awareness, coaching a client, helping someone with their grief or issues around dying, or chatting with a friend — I am teaching emotional intelligence.

I have spent the last 20 years of my life volunteering with hospice, grieving children and their families, coaching people who are dying and coaching people helping a loved one die.

It is the most joyous feeling when a hummingbird flies up to you and looks you right in the eye. This beautifully vibrant being stops me in my tracks from the business of life — to admire, respect, and appreciate the beauty and wonder right in front of me. 

To be very honest with you, I am afraid. I am afraid of experiencing death. I have yet to experience real death in the present moment. An unexpected death of someone close or witnessing someone die in front of me.

When Dianna first asked me to write about conscious living, I struggled to find the words. Then as any good psychotherapist would, she prompted me with a question: “What is your philosophy on life?”

The relationship. Our entire life is spent in a relationship. It starts with our relationship with self, next a parent, and then we develop relationships with friends, lovers, colleagues…