SHOW NOTES: On this show…we are tracing the healing journey of love, from connecting and loving deeply to embracing heartache and every stop in between. Building connections, even when you're worried about getting hurt, is vital because these bonds are the lifeblood of our emotional well-being. Yes, opening up can feel risky, but the rewards of genuine connection far outweigh the fear of heartache. It's through these connections that we find support, joy, and a sense of belonging. Love hurts but first, it heals. The capacity to love deeply is considered a natural, species-specific tendency. Loss is an integral part of growth, whether we're evolving our minds from one stage to the next or facing the final chapter of our physical life. Embracing loss allows us to learn, adapt, and gain deeper insights into ourselves and the world around us. It's through these challenging moments that we truly grow and find new strength. Remember, every meaningful relationship starts with a bit of vulnerability. So, take that leap—embrace the possibility of connection, knowing that the love and support you gain will help heal any past wounds and enrich your life in beautiful, unexpected ways. Change is never easy because with change comes loss. I could spin this in a self-help way, which you know I will, but first, let’s be honest. Letting go of people, opportunities, ideas, dreams, and expectations is never easy. When you make that shift and turn the corner you have to be ready to embrace change or you stay stuck.  If you are letting go of a relationship you embrace the idea of staying single or putting yourself out there again. If you lose a job you’re faced with how to rectify what happened and where you go now. If you lose a loved one you are met with navigating grief while creating a new normal.  Instead of getting bogged down in endless details, start by simplifying your choices into two clear paths. This approach helps you make quicker decisions and maintain momentum. It's not about rigid thinking, but rather about giving yourself a solid starting point to move forward more efficiently. Bianca Sparacino introduces us to people who love deeply: Let Me Tell You About People Who Love Deeply found at Thought CatalogAt Ellie Mental Health I found How To Cope With Loneliness and Rejection in RelationshipsAt Live Outrageously, I found a question to contemplate:  Have You Outgrown Your Inner Circle of Friends? Love’s Tender Evolution We all know the journey of love's tender evolution, From young and free, hearts open in boundless revolution. We fall hard, then rise slowly, with wounds to bear, Calloused, we build walls, breeding suspicion and despair.   We open up cautiously, our pace becomes slow, Our minds awaken to heartache's burdens we now know. We think our hearts are weak, so our minds grow strong, But often they become jaded, overprotective, or wrong.   Distrusting both heart and mind, we retreat to our shell, Building barricades, interrogating all who dare to dwell. Loneliness ensues, yet we tiptoe back into the light, Hoping for heart, mind, and soul to finally align right.   Praying for someone who'll respect and protect all three, Swiftly, before the cycle starts again, we yearn to be free. In this dance of love's evolution, we seek to find, A partner who'll cherish the heart, soul, and mind.   CHALLENGE: Embrace the evolution of love by staying open to connection and growth, despite past heartaches. By trusting both your heart and mind, you pave the way for making connections with those who will cherish and protect your whole being. I Know YOU Can Do It!