We can improve our capacity for emotional regulation, as well as reduce stress, anxiety,
and depression, by engaging in mindfulness practices. It's not good to have
expectations since they keep you from being in acceptance and from moving you
forward in time. You grow more conscious via mindfulness training, and finally being in
the now comes naturally to you. Discover how self-love is also achieved when you can
understand and appreciate mindfulness as your approach to experiencing life and its
challenges.

In this episode:

When we don't live up to our standards, we tend to love ourselves only under certain
conditions and criticize ourselves harshly. It takes perseverance, effort, and dedication
to navigate the challenging path to self-love. Mitra’s story shares both her online and
offline revelations on her road to practicing mindfulness, which has made her a wiser
person. She talks about self-care through the little things we do that bring us a sense of
peacefulness and calmness that can be achieved in our daily lives by being present and
aware.

[06:00] So self-love to me, honestly, is taking care of myself in all ways. It's really being
there for myself.

[11:15] Being offline and being present […helps us in becoming wise]

[18:57] We have one beautiful life to be here on Earth to experience this human
experience.

[20:47] We need to surround ourselves with people that fill us up and if someone is
draining, you must love yourself enough to let these people go.

[21:31] I truly want to live where I deal with things as they come each day so that every
day when I wake-up I am not thinking about something six months ago. I deal with it.

People are always on the quest to find their true selves, yet many have to go through
the expectations and common ways of society to get along with others. Knowing oneself
extends beyond how someone portrays themselves to others. Find out how finding the
right people and expressing yourself leads to making a safe space where you can fully
be yourself. 
 
In this episode:

Ruthy talks about her journey and story of self-discovery and self-love through the many
moments in her life that led her to where she is now. It is one's fundamental sense of
self and love. Understanding one’s identity as a societal construct is crucial. She tells us
how her story has led her to realize her true worth as a person regardless of the
expectations of her family and society. 
 
[13:17] Accept yourself for who you are. Don’t be afraid to think outside of a given area.
You don’t want to confine yourself to traditional roles. You don’t want to imprison
yourself.

[14:52] Just be okay with being who you are

[15:40] Find your area where you’re comfortable and submerge yourself in it.

[16:08] No matter what I am on the spectrum or on the rainbow, I am still a really good
person, I am worthy and important, and I am enough. 

[17:16] Family isn’t just about blood. Family is anyone who loves you for who you are.

Many people are broken because of their lack of self-worth. But how do you accept and value
yourself when you have grown up in a life of misery, chaos, and abandonment? How do you get
out of that vicious trap and still come out whole? Is there hope for the broken?

In this episode:

Alison shares how she redeemed her self-worth by taking a long, winding journey from her
childhood years in a family of abuse, addiction, and chaos to a state of self-love. She recounts
her experiences of how she applied the following principles to make herself whole:

Be your own person and know your purpose in life

Channel negativity into positivity

Accept yourself for who you are

Tragedy and suffering are universal, and we see it around the world. People may go
through unthinkable situations and bear the consequences of going through these.
Some tend to run away from it and forget it to detach themselves from the pain and hurt.
Find out how poetry and writing become a channel of release and realization to become
the best version of yourself.

In this episode:

During this month of self-love and human resilience, Desiree shares her journey of self-
love through her writing of her book “The Shaping of a Diamond”. One may be able to
find a solution and delve deeper if one writes it out. Writing allows you to express all of
your thoughts and feelings in a method that would be understandable to those who
would listen to you. She tells us on how writing down her story as a release and form of
self-reflection led her to being the best version of herself today.

[27:15] If you’re in a domestic violence, do what you need to get out to be safe. There
are good people out there.

[27:50] Sometimes faith in one person can be different for another person. Everyone out
there must find their own truth. If you don’t have faith in something, you are never going
to make it.

[28:13] Open up your minds to the possibility that there is something out there.

[32:28] There is only so much you can do without the help of someone else.

[34:42] “Now that I share these moments, everyone knows we’re not just a family, we’re
a band of heroes”

Jody and Jim were brought together by their love for music, dance, and advocacy. Their
acquaintance turned into a beautiful friendship that turned into real love.

In this episode:

Jody and Jim recount their time together at Up With People and how they slowly crept into each
other’s lives. They share the following nuggets of wisdom:

[7:53] Be friends first

[11:17] Communication and enjoy each other’s company

[12:37] Take your time and get to know each other

Love requires understanding. Choose the one who understands you and gives you the
freedom to be yourself.

In this episode:

Fran and Tom tell how their love started with a mistakenly grabbed “tie.” They share how the
incident led them to know and understand each other’s qualities, making them comfortable
and easily attracted to one another and eventually leading to their marriage.

[0:16] Tie-grabbing on the first meet

[3:20] Fran’s card to Tom

[5:50] Tom and Fran’s first date

[7:30] Choosing each other

[9:30] The proposal in the office

[11:41] Tom & Fran’s advice for couples

Was it a proposal or an invitation to treat? This question has been an ongoing two-decade debate between Dusty and Laylee. Read on and find out for yourself.

In this episode:

Dusty and Laylee share not just their story but also a part of their Baha'i faith. They also impart valuable learning insights on what makes their marriage work.

​

[29:33, 31:35] Add humour to your relationship.

[29:51] Focus on things larger than yourself.

[32:27] Nurture your individual relationship with the Creator

[33:00] Adapt to changes and be positive about it

[34:06] Practice respectful communication

Getting along and understanding each other’s differences fuel a long-lasting love.

In this episode:

David and Janice share how their first meeting at a Halloween party ignited their long-term relationship. It was a union that thrived even when they did things in their separate ways, and despite being opposite in so many ways.

[0:15] The Halloween party meet-up

[4:25] Being opposite in so many ways

[8:00] Love despite independent ways