This is episode 2009 of the Vibrant Living Series. I’m Kimberly Henrie and this is Living the Good Life.

Guest: Cathy Heyliger
Author of children’s book, Love is... https://www.amazon.com/Love-Cathy-Heyliger/dp/1793382638/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=heyliger+cathy&qid=1590162275&sr=8-1

Host: Kimberly Henrie, www.kimberlyhenrie.com
More episodes: www.kimberlyhenrie.com/the-show

Today’s topic is about acceptance. Not only acceptance but our response to unexpected circumstances. There’s been a bit of that going around lately. Many of us feel knocked around by Federal, State and Local executive orders, CDC guidelines, masks, no-masks, social distancing, isolation and more. Some are doing better than others, but we are all affected in one way or another. We question who has our best interests at heart and we struggle with safety versus economy and all that entails. Several of our guests in this vibrant living series have shared wisdom that can help us navigate. Mindfulness practitioner Brenda Chamberlain in episode 2002 spoke about how a mindfulness practice can help us to respond productively to these circumstances rather than reacting wildly out of fear or anger. Bruce Cryer, Marcia Martin and Tom Terwilliger all shared important teachings on mindset and how we can move through fear and be empowered in our response. I love Marcia’s verbal illustration of breaking free of the prison we created for ourself. When we can take a pause, mindfulness, assess our circumstances, awareness, and understand that how we participate in our circumstances dictates not only our reality but how we feel about that reality and the amount of joy or self-satisfaction we live with… we become empowered individuals.

That doesn’t mean we are all going to agree on the guidelines and executive orders. However, if we can shift our mindset to understanding that most all of us are navigating this the best we can, including business owners and leaders of government at all levels, then hopefully we can be more effective in discussing solutions and showing grace for ourselves and each other when the fear does get in the way.

In this episode, I want to share a meaningful conversation that I had with a local author last year about this time. Cathy Heyliger created a children’s book titled Love is…. When I saw her two grown boys read the book aloud on social media, I had to get to know the woman behind it and learn how it all came about. As I listened to it again today, I realized, though on the surface the subject is different from the coronavirus pandemic we are facing today, the divisiveness and the acceptance message of it all still applies. The uncertainty on how to proceed, how to navigate new information, new reality is relatable. I hope you find a nugget or two that speaks to you as I sit down with the author of Love is… Cathy Heyliger.

More on Cathy Heyliger:
The author Cathy Heyliger of Love is… wanted to share this book with other parents because of her unique experience as not only a parent, but an early childhood educator. As a Montessori preschool teacher since the late 80’s, she knows how much wisdom the young child carries in their heart. How very aware they are of who they are and how they fit into the world. It is our job as parents to help them be aware of all the aspects of being human and prevent them from suffering whenever possible. One of her sons knew there was something different about him in kindergarten when he had a crush on a boy named Quinn. It was at that moment in his life that he started to question how he fit into the heterosexual world. Every year it became more solidified and more defined in his mind that he did not fit. Instead of thinking it was okay he began to hate himself for being different, he thought he was a freak. Her husband and she had no idea he was grappling with these thoughts. If only they had been more aware of his conflict, they could they have addressed and possibly prevented his pain.This book is her prevention method! There are lots of books out there about my two mommies or two daddies, but unless you are from a family like this, it is not necessarily a book you would seek out or pick up. She did not… but wishes with all her heart she would have! It would have prevented years of heartache for both of her precious sons who came out in their early teens. She aches to know of all the men and women out there who have gone through any part their lives hiding their secret to try and fit in! She also understands how terribly painful it must be for a child who begins to realize they are transgender! Her most fervent hope is that Love is… is an early and first step in exposing our children to the ideas of acceptance and love for whoever they are!!!


Previous episodes referenced:

LTGL 2002 - Brenda Chamberlain, Mindfulness Practioner
https://www.kimberlyhenrie.com/the-show/episode/79b66edc/ltgl2002-vibrant-living-series-brendachamberlain-mindfulness-coach

LTGL 2006 - Bruce Cryer, Heartmath
https://www.kimberlyhenrie.com/the-show/episode/78df1c1f/ltgl2006-vibrant-living-series-brucecryer-heartmath

LTGL 2007 - Marcia Martin, Reach Your Full Potential
https://www.kimberlyhenrie.com/the-show/episode/79cec1ef/ltgl2007-vibrant-living-series-marcia-martin-reach-your-full-potential

LTGL 2008 - Tom Terwilliger, The Comeback Plan
https://www.kimberlyhenrie.com/the-show/episode/7990f5e3/ltgl2008-vibrant-living-series-tomterwilliger-the-comeback-plan