Growing up, I never had a room of my own. And oh my, how I longed for solitude and a place I could call my own.

This song – “In My Room”, was the first time I had experienced the Source (aka God). This experience of God (aka Grace) began my lifelong journey toward Consciousness (aka God).

I was about 10 years old when “In My Room” sparked my Path.

Following this experience of my Beloved (aka God), I was blessed to spend lots of time at the ocean – it was at the ocean that I experienced Grace again – but in a much more profound and deep way. With the ocean waves and the star-filled sky, I came face-to-face with I Am (aka God).

Today would have been my brother’s 54th birthday. He passed away so long ago now – I believe he was 23 and I was 24 at the time.

He was just under a year younger than me. He was warm and giving and a pain in my butt as a kid.

He became ill when he was 12. At the time, my father was raising us (alone) and all I remember is Kevin being taken to lots of doctors.

I was shocked when he died; Dad never told me he was “dying”…. he always just said “Kevin is sick”. Well “sick” to a kid doesn’t mean “dying”.

Anyway….. Happy Birthday, Kevin. You’re thought of every day!

Ryan’s best friend from childhood, Brett, is visiting – and it is clear he’s in the depths of his own personal hell. With a recent felony conviction and a history of substance abuse – his struggle is painful to witness. Especially when I can see so clearly the source of his pain. His mother left him – for a life with a wealthy man – with her now ex-husband who adopted Brett when he was little. Brett’s struggle comes from this incredibly deep wound of abandonment – first his biological father and then his mother.

I have vowed to be here for him. If he chooses to continue down a path of self-destruction, I will do my best to help him see the folly of that choice. I will also do my best to help him see that his only hope is to rise above his parenting and focus on self-awareness. Discovering who he truly is – at his Soul level – is the only path out of that kind of emotional and psychological wound. It is a wound I know well.

Abandonment is a wound I share with those I love most dearly – at some level. Our lives are entwined for a reason – exploring that reason (aka my Life’s Purpose) has been my focus for almost 30 years now. I am always learning something new about me (and each of you!) with every encounter.

The Life Lessons here are always mandatory – it’s the Learning that is optional. Making the choice to learn can be very difficult. The path to authenticity requires courage and an inner strength that some find difficult. The seduction of what society views as ‘success’ is powerful – money, physical beauty, career growth, political power. Society tells us these are the traits that define who we are. The seduction to believe all of that is very, very powerful.

And it is all a lie.

Every day we are asked to make choices that in the end, ultimately define us. Consciously choosing to reject society’s lie – that is my daily struggle.

Matt is making his own path now – and I am profoundly proud of the man he’s become.

Passionate, intense, opinionated, authentic, and with a depth of Spirit at 28 that is awe inspiring.

I feel deeply blessed to have been given the opportunity to nurture his beautiful Soul.

God love and keep you, Matt. Always.