She’d kill me if she knew I felt this way — I love her and would marry her, BUT she’s 10 years older than I am. I’m 36 and she’s 46. What happens when I’m 56 and she’s 66?

Age is a number. Theoretically, it’s indicative of how mature we are. But we find exceptions to that faster than we can get to the end of the sentence. But beauty fades, right? Nah — we all know people who get better looking. Skin loses its resilience? True enough, but not at the same rate.

And in much the same way, some people seem to put on the brakes and stop learning and growing at 40, while others seem to stay interested and interesting as long as they live. Some people stay physically vibrant and active into their 90s and counting; some start to “die” in their 40s.

“I don’t believe one grows older. I think that what happens early on in life is that at a certain age one stands still and stagnates,” said T. S. Eliot.

We’re learning, though. We look younger and die older. What used to be old is still young … and the older we get, the younger it is.… More

We don’t love because somebody needs it, desires it, or deserves it. We love because it is what we must do to be true to our very nature.

When we fail to love because of our judgment of somebody else, we don’t betray that somebody. We betray ourselves; and that betrayal grows within us like a cancer. But there is a cure.

Unconditional love … anything less isn’t really love.… More

Dear Friends,

I hope you have found paradise this summer. I hope you have found the place where everything is okay and nothing can shake your peace.

It is within you.

And when you find it, your external world reflects its peace and beauty. It is perfect — not because it is ideal by anybody else’s standards, but because it is ideal by yours. It is ideal by yours because you see it through knowing eyes, and because you trust that you are getting exactly what you need. And, because you are open to getting what you need from what’s there, you do.

It is like being on a vacation perfectly planned by your psychotherapist, your mentor, and your personal trainer. You trust them to serve your highest good. You are able to feel the sweetness in tears; you sit with your feelings beside the water. You are able to see the growth in sore muscles; you relax into a full-body massage in the garden. You are refreshed.

Your spirit sings. Your lips invite kisses. Your heart and your mind are open. You are present to delight in what is, without worrying about what is not.

If you haven’t found your paradise this summer, you can.… More