Thank you for so openly sharing your experience, Erin. It’s heartbreaking to hear why you felt you needed to wear a mask for so much of your life, and we imagine your story is relatable to many people. No one should be made to feel less than. How moving that Annika’s story has affirmed for you the importance of being your true self. We hope you indeed find peace and happiness in exploring who you really are. Sending love your way.

Hi all, I’m so very much appreciating this exchange. The beautiful simplicity of planting trees as an act of reciprocity resonates deeply with me. Tree Sisters is one of the organizations we featured on gratefulness.org some time ago as a Gratefulness Changemaker. Perhaps you might enjoy exploring their work: https://gratefulness.org/grateful-changemakers/grateful-changemakers-treesisters/

And thank you for the inspiring reflection in return, Betsy! I appreciate the way in which you describe LISTENING as central to a life well lived. I agree – it’s so critical to our capacity to hold it all and move through the world in a meaningful way.

Thank you for sharing these stories, Tom, with all their beauty, poignancy, and tenderness. My heart goes out to your friend, and I hold alongside you the affirmation that there is “more joy to be had.” Take good care!

Thank you for your kind words, Sheila. I too find meaning and inspiration in thinking about how resilient my elders were and have been over the course of their long lives. May we honor their example!

So true, Craig! I love how you note that thriving comes in the form of helping out our community, even in seemingly small ways.

Glad this resonates with you, Tom! I think the quote Sheila references in her comment affirms that appreciation and prayer go hand-in-hand.

Thank you for sharing your experience and appreciation, Sheila! Grateful for you.

Much to live indeed! I appreciate your acknowledgment, Thomas. Thank you for sharing your experience with the piece.

YES to dance, dance, dance. Happy to hear you were open to the spark. And thanks for those yummy adjectives….life takes on such a different tone when I live according to food metaphors. 😀

Thank you, Betsy! I appreciate your kind words. 🙂

Thank you, Miguelie! Wonderful to hear that the connection between openness and acceptance resonates. May it offer inspiration through your days. Peace to you as well.

And your words of appreciation mean so much to me. Thank you for receiving my offering with wonder. Love to you as well!

Virtual hugs to you, Sieger des Friedens! Your kind note fills my heart. I’m sorry to hear that your curiosity was stifled growing up. Here’s to needing no permission to go deep, stretching into the lifeforce that wants to live through you!

I’m grateful to hear more about your experience, Anna–thank you for sharing! I have a long path to walk too…and our current situation begs for lots of compassion toward ourselves and the world. I hope you continue to find wisdom in the meaningful reflection you seem to already have so supportively interwoven in your life.

Thank you for your affirmation! I am glad to know I’m not alone…how wonderful to hear how liberating embracing imperfection has felt for you!

And I am grateful for your voice, Betsy! The word “tenderness” guides me often. Thank you for your reflection.

Thank you for the kind words, Chuck! And thank you for all you do as well to walk the talk!