Guest House

                                        by Rumi

This being human is a guest house,

   Every morning is a new arrival.

  A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

       as an unexpected visitor.

  Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,

  who violently sweep your house

         empty of its furniture,

  still, treat each guest honorably,

      He may be clearing you out

          for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

    meet them at the door laughing,

           and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

      because each has been sent

       as a guide from beyond.

Thanks to my friend and talented healer Gina Orlando, for sharing.

What the catepillar calls the end of the world,

the master calls a butterfly.

-Richard Bach in “Illusions”

Colleen participated in my 12 week group program that started Sept 09. She’s down 22 lbs and looking pretty darn fit, healthy, and happy! Here’s what she wrote:

Hi Renee!I listened to your latest podcast and I have to say, it was one of your best EVER for me.  You have gotten so good at podcasting, its really impressive!But beyond that, as I’m sure you know, that listener’s story was my story too.  I smiled and nodded and laughed and cried listening to her letter.  I too didn’t want to face my fears, my weaknesses, even myself!  And some of my pain and fears I didn’t even know were there.  You have awakened in me - ME.  I am somehow amazingly down to 116 (from 138!) and it is the easiest way to live.  I NEVER think about food (except when I am eating it and focusing on REALLY enjoying it) and so my mind is free to think about other wonderful things in life.  Its an amazing permanent change that I know will never go away.  You gave me the gift of a free, open, loving, and amazing life - for that I am eternally grateful.

One of your biggest fans,

Colleen

She’s just started a blog to share her workouts:  www.barefootphysicaltraining.com

Thanks Colleen for sharing and inspiring!

Listener Dale Anne Potter lovingly created this beautiful success journal and posted it for us to enjoy on her blog. She even gives instructions on how she did it. With so much love and care going into it, I’m sure loving self-care will come out of it!  http://daleannepotter.com/tag/inside-out-weight-loss/

Astrid, an Inside Out Weight Loss listener from the UK, sent me her before and after pics. She’s down 70 lbs, but what I most love about these pics is that in her after, she is out in the world, her full self, looking confident and radiant, from the inside out!

Thank you so much Astrid for sharing!