There are infinite ways we can showcase our love. We can shower our loved ones with affirmations, spoil them with gifts, make time for quality experiences— really the list is endless! So why is it we become so paralyzed by the thought of showing ourselves similar graciousness? It’s because real acceptance and growth come from forgiveness and responsibility, not passivity and resentment. We’ve been conditioned to act (and believe) the latter, but now’s a more perfect time than ever to release that painful pressure and be free. Whether they are good, bad, or downright dark, our experiences are valid. And we shouldn’t expect ourselves to move through them in a linear fashion, like a train on a schedule.  The intelligence of our emotions should be what guides our path, instead of some made up checkpoints. That’s one of the infinitely inspirational ideas I picked up from a new read of mine, written by a dear friend and true visionary: Danielle LaPorte. Danielle LaPorte is a best-selling author, inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, and blogger all about living a heart-centered life. Her first best-seller, The Desire Map: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul, inspired us all to reclaim our self-agency through the power of emotion.  Now she’s back with an upcoming book titled How To Be Loving, and it’s not (entirely) what you think it’s about. The book details more than just kindness and ‘being better’, but the very real (and necessary) bereavement of your emotional and mental boogeymen.  So, what better way to celebrate this new creation than ripping the monsters out from under our metaphorical bed and giving them some tender love? It’s been a long while since Danielle and I have spoken on the IHML Show— and this made for the perfect reunion!  Together on this episode, Danielle and I move through the key points of her newest book hitting the shelves October 11th, and how this piece differs from her last published work.  She also shares vulnerable personal experiences and what they’ve taught her about embodiment, creating versus attracting, and why spiritual bypassing is not the way to go! If you’re looking for a crash course on how to change everything from within, this episode is the perfect starting point!  Danielle’s spirit, soul, and sense of self are so riveting they’ll have you itching to turn the page and begin a new chapter in your life.  Start living your life like it’s your favorite novel, and make the plot your own!   In This Episode: [01:02] Danielle doesn’t hold back on her synopsis (or her excitement) for her upcoming book How To Be Loving! [02:20] Why Danielle starts her book off by talking about her year-in-review, and seriously considers walking away from her creative life— and the catalyst for that. [08:36] Danielle deep dives into the transition from her first book Desire Maps to How To Be Loving, and how she implemented this change in her curriculum. [13:27] Listen to Danielle share her insight into visions & having goals (or lack thereof). [15:55] Why do lessons repeat themselves? This is Danielle’s insightful perspective... [21:10] Taking responsibility for what we've created in our lives — and how Danielle differentiates between that and something we've attracted passively. [24:00] The layers of responsibility for our hardships and restoring balance through forgiveness, as told (and experienced) by Danielle! [27:19] Danielle dissects spiritual bypassing, and why that’s not the goal. [28:51] How Danielle moved through what she calls The Dark Night of the Soul, and what she recommends for anyone enduring a tough period of life. [37:04] The two kinds of children and what they require from us, according to Danielle! [42:11] So, who’s the new Danielle? Emily and Danielle reflect on all the changes since their last conversation together in 2019! [45:49] Danielle answers the timeless IHML question: how can you create a life better than your dreams?   Quotes: “Some people might be surprised when they get in [the new b