I loved reading your words, “I too, would not change a thing! I too, feel more like myself than I ever have! I too, am grateful for every struggle life has laid before my feet! I too, am excited for the amazing and unknown road which lies ahead!

I’m with you… one marvelous step at a time!”

A fellow adventurer in the journey we call life. Its great to see you here!

Love. Rich

@David – I’ll be visiting the Bay soon. But first two more weeks in China. Then LA. Then Phoenix. Then San Diego. Then back to LA. (I guess I like to get around!)

“What is the lesson in this discomfort?” “What do I do to take this discomfort and turn it into a positive?” – that is SO powerful…

Thanks for sharing Winnie The Pooh with me, too (and I thought he was a British thing!)

much love.
Rich

“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”

Hi Rich

Thought I would begin with a couple of “Poohisms.” Did you smile? Good, it was effective! But did you think about each quote? This little bear is a wise old bear.

I hear your voice when you write and through that written “sound” I hear your internal struggles. The heart wants what the heart wants, yes? The mind battles with the heart. You are so right on about making your days with Monique memorable in a fun and positive way; you will have time to grieve after. I hope you take that time; it’s healthy.

I am taking each situation I find myself in, thoughtfully these days. This means that when discomfort happens, I ask myself, “What is the lesson in this discomfort?” “What do I do to take this discomfort and turn it into a positive?” Then I become thoughtful and insightful and THEN, proactive. My steps; not necessarily yours, but I thought I’d throw that out there. I guess I am trying to say, “Learn through your pain.”

You are loved and held dear to many. You are surrounded by open-hearts, open-minds and open-arms [I hear a Journey song comin' on! ~]. The universe has provided you with a gift in love and in career. You are blessed and when you stay true to yourself, you know your life works out as it should.

That’s all I got at almost midnight. If it appears as if I’ve rambled, you’re probably right But the woman’s heart is where it should be…with her friend overseas.

Love ya

Deb

I am sad, scared, and excited to report that I can totally empathize with your current state. After about 3.5 years of marriage and nearly 11 years of dating, my husband and I have decided on a long-term separation to find our truest passions, fears, talents, adventures…selves.

Alex and I met when we were teenagers and started dating almost immediately. We journeyed through several major life transitions and a long-distance relationship for 2 years together. We are best friends and each other’s first EVERYTHING! He and I share a deeper love and respect for one another than I ever imagined possible with anyone. So why step away?

Through all those years of growing up… we spent more time getting to know each other and conforming to what we were “supposed to do”, than taking the time to get to know ourselves and trusting that living life outside the box- while scary at times- leads to greater happiness along the way!!

Living a life unknowingly ruled by fears and conformity has obviously lead us down an unhealthy path. So we’ve decided that in order to ensure our happiness and fulfillment as individuals from TODAY on… we must split and figure out who we are and what we want! It is exciting and adventurous, but at the same time sad and fear-inducing. The difference is… now we are no longer willing to cave to the fear!!

I am all too familiar with the rapid-cycling, intense emotions that accompany us along this journey. At times, the pain and heartache is so thick and palpable that it feels as though you’re being strangled or cut open and left for dead. But it is through feeling and sitting with this excruciating pain– being lead into the fire and letting it burn us, that we are reborn into stronger, more powerful, more capable and loving people. We are blessed with the ability to experience the intensity of the life force in times of tremendous pain and overwhelming blissfulness!

I too, would not change a thing! I too, feel more like myself than I ever have! I too, am grateful for every struggle life has laid before my feet! I too, am excited for the amazing and unknown road which lies ahead!

I’m with you…one marvelous step at a time!
Ellen