The human tendency to want to share good fortune and newfound knowledge is well-documented. The classic example is the recent non-smoker who becomes a zealot trying to convince everyone else to follow his/her new good example. The same pattern holds true for all aspects of personal choice—whether it’s eating better, exercising more or performing acts of self-care—the urge is undeniable to “help” others on their journeys, to share what we have learned and discovered with such joy and profundity. 

Despite our best and well-intentioned efforts, we ultimately must relinquish our need to convert someone else to our way of being. You cannot change anyone else’s behavior. Neither can I. Thousands of physicians, health coaches, personal trainers, physical therapists, parents and other well-meaning humans have had to learn this same lesson. Fundamentally, there’s a simple reason for the failure: we cannot walk anyone else’s path. What works beautifully, even transcendently for me, may hold absolutely no meaning at all for someone else. The journey to personal empowerment is truly about the exploration and subsequent discovery of what does work for each individual. 

I learned this lesson the hard way when it came to floating (see page 51). I absolutely loved the experience from my very first session. With the zeal of a new non-smoker, I then dragged everyone I could back to float with me. After a while I realized a pattern: some people responded exactly the way I had while others went willingly enough but had an “okay” response afterward. A third group got out of the tank after just a few minutes, unable to tolerate the silence. It was a real life example of the distinct ways we each process the world as individuals. The experience gave new gravitas to the well-worn expression, “Meet them where they are.” 

That dictate has great relevance in this issue. For the topics we explore are areas ripe with potential for people to want to teach and coach others, but where each individual must ultimately choose for themselves what is doable and the length of the particular step to be taken. When it comes to nutrition and metabolic health—specifically obesity and diabetes—there is no one else who can (or should) choose your path. That said, information, inspiration and practical strategies like the ones presented in these pages certainly offer a more complete picture of the landscape in order to make well-informed, personalized choices. Knowledge is power and the seed of self-empowerment; positive change begins with awareness. 

At the start of the busy holiday season, we also wanted to emphasize non-physical self-care. To that end, we explore the concept of silent retreats. The idea will intrigue some and horrify others; in order to meet everyone where they are, we offer ideas for brief silent experiences as well as much longer ones. 

The world around us is an uncertain place. The more familiar we are with our inner landscape, the more comfort and ease we may feel in our day-to-day and the more grateful we may become for even the challenging experiences or situations that befall us. 

With love and light,

Nicole