With the year coming to an end and reflection season upon us, on today’s episode we delve in a conversation of checking the pulse while reflecting on lessons learned and lessons endured.

“Relationships are eternal. The ‘separation’ is another chapter in the relationship. Often, letting go of the old form of the relationship becomes a lesson in pure love much deeper than any would have learned had the couple stayed together.” - Marriane Willamson

“I make my ramen the way a friend taught me in eleventh grade. Every fall, I listen to a playlist made for me by a boy I drove across a border to hook up with. I eat sushi because a girl who won't talk to me anymore made me try it, and Indian food because my best friend's parents ordered for me before I knew what l liked. There are movies I love because someone I loved, loved them first. I am a mosaic of everyone I've ever loved, even for a heartbeat.” - Unknown

“As children, we were taught to be ‘good’ boys and girls, which of course implies we were not that already. We were taught we’re good if we clean up our room, we’re good if we make good grades. Very few of us were taught that we’re essentially good. Very few of us were given a sense of unconditional approval, a feel that we’re precious because of what we are, not what we do. And that’s not because we were raised by monsters. We were raised by people who were raised by the same way we were. Sometimes, in fact, it was the people who loved us the most who felt it was their responsibility to train us to struggle.” - Marianne Willamson

“Self doubt will drown you deeper than any ocean ever could. I hope you learn to swim above other people’s waves and energy and soak in your own. I hope you can learn that your power doesn’t lay in what others think you’re capable of, but instead, in what you yourself, believe you are.” - Billy Chapata

“Remember that you can quit ‘the thing’ without quitting on yourself. Remember that persistence and fluidity can coexist.” - Michell Clark

We should start to see and think of it as devotion. Because our commitment to ourselves should be rooted in love and not self-loathe.

“Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.” -Marrian Willamson

“It’s not possible to constantly hold onto crisis. You have to have the love and you have to have the magic. That’s also life.” - Toni Morrison

I hope this season is every bit of magic you didn’t know you needed. Welcome back!