Sometimes being with the upset of others is easy for me.  When my best friend, or my lover come to me, complaining, afraid and resistant, sometimes a soft smile will grace my face.  Of course, I’m not happy that they are upset, but I am able to stand and watch their stormy emotions, be present for their experience of fear and separation, and smile at the beautifully human experience that they get to have, and that they will watch me have some day.  I choose loving them unconditionally, and so I choose to be present for their upsets too.

With other people – coworkers, acquaintances, and friends’ partners - it can be more challenging to hold the seat of unconditional love. I think part of the challenge here comes from my ego trying to insist that, “I didn’t choose these people!”  Speaking from experience, I can say that it is much harder for me to be present for someone’s upset when I feel like I didn't choose them and want them to go away.

Today, I am practicing choosing people that are a stretch for me to love.  It allows me to accept my coworkers upset when I can see that I choose them to do my life’s work with.  I can be more patient with a friend’s partner when I see that I choose them, as a human being who is trying to live  in integrity and learn about love.  As for those acquaintances that I just want to go away?  Maybe I can choose them, choose being their friend, and in doing so choose the parts of me that are afraid to be left out.

We are home from Costa Rica where we led our Kindred Spirit workshop. It was amazing! So many wonderful people joined us from around the world. We love the generosity of folks that allows for the work we share to be deep and transformative. How fortunate we are. We also drummed to the dolphins (over 400 one day) from a boat in the most beautifully clear blue water ever! Thanks Sierra for sharing your passion for the dolphins with us all. 

We leave for Los Angeles and the opening of the first Cafe Gratitude there early tomorrow morning. Take a look at eaterla.com for a first time view of the new Cafe.  Lisa Bonbright headed up the design team and over saw the construction and she did a fabulous job, wait until you see all the details, thank you so much, Lisa. We are so pleased to be partnering with Chris and Lisa. The LA team is ready to go and we are so proud of them all. 

We awoke this morning asking, “What time do you think the sun will come out today?” Well, it is 11:02am and I see it peeking out from under the mist. We are really wanting the soil to dry a bit more in the new greenhouse so we can start turning it under and planting the Kale and Lettuces that are waiting in the barn. 

Matthew is working on adding the nutrients to the compost and getting ready to spread them throughout the different sections of the farm, based on some soil sample tests we took. It is our understanding that these slight shifts in the nutritional balance of our soil is going to produce more and even healthier plants. We are thrilled to be giving it a try and challenged by the size of the job! 

Last night we were in Healdsburg at the showing of May I Be Frank. I was so moved by all the folks that showed up and how inspired everyone was when the movie ended. I am so grateful for Frank, our sons, and the opportunity that someone’s healing is for everyone!
        We had a great time at Leaders Causing Leaders last weekend, and left seeing the World that is being created by the conscious, creative leaders that are gathering and making their lives about creating a world that works for everyone. Byron Katie was amazing, as was Rich and Yvonne from Challenge Day, and so many people bought our newest book Kindred Spirit and acknowledged the difference that learning the Gift of Acknowledgment has made for them.

        How about we all take on acknowledging the people in our lives this week, and I don’t mean for something they have done... I mean for who they are, deep down inside, that center of them that is pure divine, pure love, pure Spirit.  Pick any quality, with no evidence, and start acknowledging everyone... watch what happens... you will discover that you have the tool to create your friends, your family, your co workers... your life.
I acknowledge you for being courageous! 

Love, Terces

P.S. We leave this Friday to attend and assist at the wedding of Aya, our previous assistant and “daughter” in Maui. Aloha!