I’m reading this book a second time.  (I rarely if ever do that.)  I also recently saw the movie.  Despite those who bemoan how movies do not do justice to books, I think this one does.  And it’s not a “chick” book.  It’s a book about being human, searching for the deepest truth in oneself, and having the courage to live authentically.  I would hope this pertains to all of us.  In re-reading this book, I forgot how absolutely funny the author is.  The thing I like most about this work is how in the midst of personal angst, she finds a ray of humor.  She is able and willing to embrace her vulnerabilities and yet take herself as lightly as possible.  Can you?  I think this is a great skill in life. 

I am hearing that many women are reacting to this movie with “How selfish of her!”  This is an interesting phenomenon.  After two waves of feminism (some say three), there are women who still hold a double standard for their own gender.  Judging anyone for anything is not wise.  I’ll offer the famous Rumi poem, “Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing and right-doing there is a field, I’ll meet you there.”  Liz finds herself on her knees after years of reaching for “right-doing” according to everyone in her life, including herself.  Once she releases judgement she hears her own pure thoughts and feels her own deepest feelings.  It takes human courage not to run at this point, in any direction. 

I like this book and movie a lot.  Mostly because I love the theme, which in my understanding is this — “Who are you?” and “What are you here for?”  The two most important questions any human can embrace.  The two answers which keep one on the path of authenticity and intimacy.  The only road to love. 

And so I will recommend both the movie and the book to you (all of you).  I will also recommend that you sit with your close circles and talk about some of what comes up for you.  Keep it real.  There is ever so much difference between conversing and gossiping.  I’d love to hear from you about what this book (and movie) unearths in you.  While it would be wonderful to take a year and travel to far off lands in search of self, it can be done much closer to home.  As long as we are willing to release the known, face our fears, and stay true to our deepest intuitions, I’d say we are definitely on track.  Oh, and it doesn’t hurt to eat…..pray…..and love along the way.

Wednesday evening I co-hosted a talk and discussion entitled,  ”Creating Cooperative Relationships.”  My co-host was my good friend and colleague Lori Guth Moffett, CYT.  We had an amazing time sharing info about how powerful and sacred the energy between us and within us is, and how it can be a powerful source of healing in this world.  After illustrating how the chakras emanate energy (thanks to my brave volunteer!), I tried something I had never done before.  I asked who in the audience was having a challenging time in the heart/love department of life.  One woman raised her hand and I checked her fourth charkra with the pendulum.  It indicated that her heart energy was very blocked (or protected).  Then I asked her to relax and allow the group to send her loving, healing energy intentions to her heart chakra.  After about a minute of so of our sending her energy (wonderfully led by Lori), I tested her fourth chakra once again.  To the amazement of the entire room, the pendulum began swinging clockwise freely. 

It is always amazing and awe-inspiring how very spiritually enpowered we really are.  In relationships, we have choices.  We can complain, see what we do not like, feel deprived or resentful.  Or we can know there is only love and that it is possible to send this love to others.  We saw how immediately a group of strangers can come together and send love to one of its members who is struggling.  I suggest we do this in all our relationships, including our relationship to Mother Earth and all of us on the planet.   Less complaints and more compassion would serve us all.  And it is far easier than you would think.  Try it.  We thank you.

Recently I have been speaking on the topic of “relationships.” I’m thinking about this topic once again in preparation for my NEW monthly series entitled, “Relationships & the Zodiac” (where the Law of Attraction + the Zodiac meet!) It occured to me that we can indeed think of relationships as a spiritual practice. While this may seem a bit odd at first, consider that spiritual development can happen elsewhere than sitting in an ashram chanting OM. In fact, sitting and chanting is the easy part. Mixing it up in life with others is where the dicey part begins. Some of us avoid intimate relationships. Some of us jump in and become part of the spin cycle. And some of us are interested in learning from relationships to be better versions of ourselves.

Living with another (whether cohabiting or not) is a delicate balance. It involves the intersection of two lives complete with a history of “stories” for each. It involves the web of extended relationships each person is involved in. It reflects the mutual projections of each person upon the other. Not for the weak of heart, right?Know that there is much to gain and to learn, and ways to grow from experience in intimate relationships as well.

Here are just a couple of guidelines for us to remember. 1.) It’s all relationship. You cannot exist in this world without participating in a network of relationships. 2.) Be willing to accept full responsibility for your experience of all your relationships. The only common denominator in all of your relationships is YOU! 3.) Know that you are constantly projecting your stories, past experiences and fears onto your relationships. Get to know yourself in a compassionate and authentic way. This is an important prerequisite to having peaceful and joyful relationships with others. Oh, and 4.) Be light with it all. Enjoy yourself and the other person, and be open to what you two can joyously learn together!