Testimonials

In my early twenties, before I went to The Option Institute — I was lost. I had come to the end of my academic path and realized that I didn’t actually know who I was. I got myself into a really unhappy place, feeling completely disconnected from what I wanted and who I was. I felt confused and adrift.

And then I went to The Option Institute for the Inner Strength two-week program. I went there wanting to find myself. I went looking for answers. What I found were questions. This has been the biggest gift!
I came to realize that I am my own best expert. I can trust myself! I can love myself! I am all I need! What huge, amazing, totally self-changing messages – and I am so grateful to have learned them at 24.

Recently I have faced some real challenges, from my parents’ divorce to my mum’s serious illness.
I know that without having gone to The Option Institute, I would be an angry, unhappy individual right now. Instead, I learned at the Institute that I can choose how to feel in the face of these challenges. Being happy and comfortable means I have more space for love, gratitude and laughter! I not only give myself a better experience but it also means I can be a better support for my family.

And yes, there are times when I don’t chose happiness, but it sure feels a whole lot better to know that I’m creating it! What an empowering thing to realize that life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself!

None of this would have been possible without the financial aid given to me. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for this aid. To be able to know yourself this deeply and to learn that all the happiness you ever imagined is actually in your control is the biggest gift you can give anyone. There’s nothing else more important than investing in that. If you can, please enable someone less able to attend a program and create the changes in their life as I have in mine. I am grateful for the scholarship aid every single day of my extraordinary life. Thank you for reading this. Have a truly awesome day!

Big love,

What a mind-blowing experience!!! I came to The Option Institute not being sure about who I was and where I wanted to go. I haven’t got all of the answers but I’m leaving with a bag full of tools and the foremost belief that I can trust myself to use them in any circumstances.

When I came to The Option Institute 4 ½ weeks ago for Fearless, Exceptional Woman, and Inner Strength I had survived the loss of my husband, my home, my social environment, my mother. I was in deep pain, new and old. I was closer to death than really alive. I decided to invest in feeling better inside, instead of starting to build a new shelter around me. I tried ‘Happiness is a Choice’—it is! Now I am grateful to be alive and to be myself. There is so much to love and embrace from my past life and a new world is opening—I can trust myself and the universe around me—I see great opportunities in my new situation.

Rohan (my 8.5 year old son) had a huge seizure Wednesday morning, my 7 year old daughter (Serena) was with me and joined me in calmly coaching him to breath and relax his body. When it was over I asked her how she felt when Rohan was seizuring?, she said “I was a bit scared because he was screaming”…so I asked ” why because he was screaming, were you scared?” she answered…”because I thought he might die and I don’t want him to die”. We chatted about this very subject and how being really present with someone in their time of need is useful and a really loving thing to do. Serena was really cute she said “I was just calm because I watch and copy you Mum…” so different to where I used to be!

The really fun thing is that I have only just realized, how comfortable I was about that possible outcome and also about talking about death with my child about another child two things I used to be REALLY uncomfortable with!

A few years ago I would have just panicked, then assumed how she felt and but never questioned.

Thank you Bears for the gift of being able to create that space and comfort within myself to help both my kids with the challenges they have.xxx

Old and, for me, uncomfortable beliefs are dropping like flies – I am more and more ready to achieve my ambitions for the rest of my life and have been able to clearly define my direction for the first time. Yahooooooo!

I had been depressed for 20 years, with only some minor relief using medications. I was at rock bottom, my marriage had broken up, and I thought and wished that my life was over. I decided to attend Revitalize Your Spirit and then did four Option Process® Dialogues right before the program — my depression was already lifting. By the third day of the program when asked about my depression, I calmly exclaimed, ‘What depression!’ This has been the best week of my life.

My experience at The Option Institute has been so exciting. It has helped me recognize and take a hard look at the areas in my life I’d always been ‘meaning’ to change, but never had, and understand why I’ve made the choices I’ve made. It helped me become comfortable, at peace and confident about decisions I’ve made, that prior to The Option Institute, filled me with worry and doubt. I feel refreshed, alive, and excited to face the day and everything and everyone in it! From all of my heart, thank you.

I knew it was time for a change in my life, a big change. I got exactly what I was looking for with the Inner Strength program. I now feel rock solid inside and confident that no matter what difficulties comes my way, I have the power and tools to move through them with comfort. I’m so excited about starting over and creating a new life!

Extraordinary! At last a program that fully delivers on its promise. This experience so demonstrated the ways in which I “hide” from being fully real and present in the world – and most importantly – how to make concrete steps to change that fact. The take away: inner and outer alignment and a true sense of self. What a gift!

I loved having this opportunity at such a young age and I hope more people are able to experience it. The Happiness Option has taught me tools that I can use for the rest of my life and intrigued me to take additional classes here. The loving, accepting environment is a treat from the outside world. I am very grateful for these past three days.”

After my 17 year old son passed away suddenly, I didn’t believe I had the strength and courage to go on. The Fearless Program made me aware that I am fully equipped to take care of myself and that I can move forward and celebrate my son’s wonderful life.

I feel as if I have been waiting all my life for this program without knowing it. However much I have embraced The Option Process, I have always struggled with my own neediness and attachment to the outcome, which has fueled my own powerlessness, fearfulness and habit of always setting limits on myself and my possibilities. I am SOOOO grateful to have had this week, to have seen clearly how to change this, and to learn how to fill myself to bursting and beyond with self-love and joy, instead of looking outside for validation. I AM the empowered person. I love myself.

I am forever grateful to you for how you helped me change my life. In reality, these words only scratch the surface of a truly indescribable awakening that is taking place in me. And it started the moment I declared I wanted to do whatever it took to be happy, and stepped onto the grounds of The Option Institute . From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you. With great joy and love,

The Option Institute philosophy has been entirely transformative for me. I have tried religion, counseling, self study and anything else I could find-nothing has created such profound and lasting change as the Option Process. My marriage has never been as wonderful as it will be because of the Couples Course Program.

The biggest thing I learned is that the job of finding out how to be strong and confident is mine, no one can do that for me – and by taking back the job and owning it again, I made me strong and confident!

I really feel I am stronger within after participating in Inner Strength. Some of the things we did were so radical that they were like a flashlight in the darkness. I really liked the meditations we did. It made me realize that only I am limiting myself. If I stop limiting myself in every way then I am free to do what I want and I have started making myself free from my self imposed limitations.

I have had the most wonderful transformations and ‘ah-ha’ moments over the last two weeks. I have realized behavior patterns and beliefs that no longer serve me, and I am so grateful that I choose now to let them go. I am taking ownership of my life and will be learning to explain myself to myself from this point on. Thank you!

I came to The Option Institute feeling I was a failure, and that I hadn’t succeeded in so many areas in my life. I would literally shake at the thought of speaking in public and used to talk myself out of jobs before I’d even gone for the interview–a classic case of self sabotage. Oh, how I have blossomed! I have never in my whole life felt so sure of myself and I believe I can be anything I want to be. I now know I am a fantastic mother/daughter and I really love myself and who I’ve become.

“Through Inner Strength, I learned the fundamental concepts of inner strength. I was challenged to explore the beliefs that were leading to unhappiness and left with the tools to change my life every single day. I came to the program very unhappy, spinning in circles and left utterly changed. I am happy, enjoying my life and sure that I had done it for myself.”

I feel so empowered and excited about being so clear and specific about my wants and really believing I can have everything I want. It has been such a fun week and a joy to be at The Option Institute again. This really is a place for miracles, a place so filled with love and openness.

Whoa!!! What powerful concepts, yet so simple that we can apply them to any situation. For myself, this is the best thing that ever happened because I came here to look for an answer, but I got way more than that. This is something I will practice for the rest of my life to be good and happy and to share with the world to make this a better place.

My biggest learning is definitely that I am not scared of other people’s judgments as I thought. I have been scared of my own! I have finally taken ownership and changed many things. There is still work to be done, and I now know how to do that. Thank you!!!

During Optimal Self-Trust, I have gone from self-distrust and not feeling loveable to self trust and I’m OK. I have cleared out areas of guilt and deep unhappiness in my life. This program is awesome and wonderful. I can’t praise it too highly.

I have been given a second chance in life to actually be happy. I feel again! I almost cannot write down in words what I have experienced here in 1 week. You’ve given me the tools to choose, be non-judgmental, accept, love, and be present. This is a life-changing experience for me to bring back into the real world. I have never been in such a loving, caring, giving environment before – The Option Institute is truly a special place. I will return again.

When I arrived here, my mind was a maelstrom of judgments and repressed anger causing me to see-saw from unhappiness to happiness without ever being able to pin down why. I hid myself behind a mask of caring and love and never realized that I was having the total opposite effect on those I come in contact with. I was radically inauthentic. Through the love, acceptance, and most importantly, the challenges that were put before me, I have learnt to accept my judgments and have chosen to ask in a loving way, why I am doing them. Miracles do happen at The Option Institute. Thank you.

It has been wonderful and very helpful to take Optimal Self-Trust with my teenage daughter. We’ve had the opportunity to look at and change beliefs we’ve had about each other. I am so sure that our life together will be much more relaxed, loving and respectful from now on.

I have to say that NEVERsettle Singles genuinely exceeded my expectations throughout the entire program. The tools were presented in a logical and easy to understand way, and the exercises not only perfectly complemented the curriculum, but they were a blast as well.

I perceived my goals for Optimal Self-Trust to be a huge leap for me and had previously decided that attaining a small portion of them would be sufficient. I outstripped my hopes!! The program design and the practical tools it gave me, together with the safe and loving environment that the teaching staff created, enabled me to reach for my personal heights. It is so wonderful to be able to possess a daring passion for myself!!!

The NEVERsettle Singles Program allowed me to identify beliefs about myself that were keeping me from being in a happy and healthy relationship. I learned to trust what I think and to be real and not adjust myself for the benefit of fitting in or being liked.

I came here unable to listen to myself and to truly believe I was my own greatest resource. I would second guess everything I did or said to make sure everyone else was OK with it. I have had a revelation over this week. I know I can trust wholly my decisions, be happy with them and comfortable. Thank you!!

This was a great experience for me to explore issues I have about relationships; the class environment was a warm and caring environment and I was able to share my feelings and not feel I was being judged, a good and well needed experience.

I loved Optimal Self Trust and am taking with me invaluable tools for transformation; I am also trusting myself 100% to use them. Through the Option Process my life has transformed dramatically and for the better. I will never go back to a life where I don’t value, love or trust myself.

This is truly a place of miracles! I have been able to change from within my core beliefs that have been holding me back for 51 years. With the tools I have been given and self trust that I have developed in the Optimal Self-Trust Program, I know I can now live a more productive, fearless, trusting life of joy and curiosity each and every day.

Attending Optimal Self Trust increased my self-trust in a profound way. I feel so much more comfortable with myself and with people around me than I used to. I learned that going towards my discomfort is so much easier than going away from it AND I TRUST THAT WHATEVER I LEARNED WILL BE WITH ME IN MY LIFE WHENEVER I NEED.

I have been “stuck” with the endless torture of indecision for over a year. DuringOptimal Self-Trust I learned that I could trust what I wanted and I would not be bad for myself. I left with a decision and a clear plan on how I would proceed.

What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Go to The Option Institute! What would you do if you were afraid? Go to The Option Institute! I found tools to be stronger, more accepting and non-judgmental of myself and others. I practiced listening to myself, trust and accept my feelings and thoughts. I discovered that every person is such an amazing human being if we approach them with love, acceptance and non-judgment. Thank you to all wonderful teachers, from my heart, THANK YOU!

I came to Revitalize Your Spirit with a past history of abuse, abandonment, and a great deal of past judgments. I came fully armed with my usual self-protective mechanisms that I had finely tuned over 52 years. Without anxiety, fear, trepidation, or regret, I left them outside the door at the beginning of the second class. That was the first time in my life that I ever knew I could choose differently. I chose happiness and it only took me 2 ½ hours after 52 years of pain. Thank you!

I came to Revitalize Your Spirit with such harsh judgements of myself. I was a depressed and frightened person. I saw no hope or change in my future. Now, I feel excitement for the future and incredible love for myself and others.

Advanced Power Dialogues gave me the opportunity to dive as deep as I could into the process of mentoring and surrounding myself with an attitude of love and acceptance for others and for myself. The curriculum of the course was optimal to attain the highest level of learning the Option Process Dialogue, grasping the concepts and tools used in the dialogue and finding joy in myself around the learning process. I feel clearer in myself and truly accepting and loving of others.

I took Revitalize Your Spirit looking for a break, a little relief from the stress I have been living for the past ten months since my husband’s sudden death. After two or three days, I had begun laughing and it felt wonderful. I realized I had not laughed in the past ten months but I finally gave myself permission to.

This has been a ‘brilliant!!’ week. I feel I have learned so much about myself. Most importantly I learned that to trust myself and be present with others when mentoring really gives their issues in the way they want. Totally Brilliant!!!

When devastating illness entered my life, I became lost and, for years, wandered so far from myself, full of self-doubt and negative judgments. The Option Institute lit the path for me to find my way back home to a non-judgmental love and acceptance and re-learn to love myself and my life.

Although I have been coming here for many years, it never ceases to amaze me how much I discover about how I operate in my life. Each time I come closer and closer to being who I really want to be in my life by truly getting to know myself. My giving myself the gift of the Option Process Dialogue on a cellular level, I will never be uncomfortable in my life again no matter what the stimulus. How wonderful to be going home with a big smile on my face.

Advanced Power Dialogues was an in-depth exploration not only of the Option Process Dialogue, but also of the many things which arise in us as potential mentors that keep us from fully being in the attitude of being present, non-judgmental and non-directive. Thus, this course is a very personal and useful inner exploration also. The teaching was especially effective, as you get so much individual attention in the small groups.

Advanced Power Dialogues is a great program to learn in a deep way about a wonderful method to help yourself of others to grow. To grow in a way you can live your life the way you want. Get liberated from any obstacles that stop you to get the very best out of yourself and your life.

I’ve taken almost all the programs at the Option Institute and I have to say thatAdvanced Power Dialogues seemed to bring all those programs together for me. Understanding the Option Dialogue Process and the attitude of a mentor are the underpinnings that hold this institute together. It’s why we love the teachers, why all the programs work and why the relationships you form here are deeper than anywhere else in your life. This class holds the key to your happiness. Just take it!

To really understand the dynamics and the technique of the dialogues, Advanced Power Dialogues is absolutely amazing! We get to dive into all the technical stuff – and at the same time practice to just be in the attitude! If you love the dialogues – you just have to come to Advanced Power Dialogues!

I soared to new heights. I learned more about myself and grew more in four days than I have in four years of therapy. I am especially appreciative to have learned that I am loveable exactly as I am and that I will be OK no matter what life brings.

I came in thinking that my life was over, that I didn’t have the right to want anything in my life, that I deserved to feel bad about myself all of the time. I had almost convinced myself that I didn’t deserve to go on living. I feel that this week has given me back my life. I love these women, myself, and this place. If you question whether you are valuable, please come here and learn that you are.

When I arrived at the Option Institute last Sunday, I had spent years struggling with self judgment, judgment of my body, yearning for a “mother” to heal me. Now, after this outstanding program, I have, for the first time ever, been able to feel my perfection at this moment, look in the mirror and see beauty, feel that I have healed myself by taking in the comfort of being held, and have felt my own strength and power to direct my growth.

You could spend your whole life waiting to go on holidays to make you feel better. Coming to Exceptional Woman was the best holiday for my soul. Instead of the quick fix of the traditional holiday, I have gone away with so much healing of my soul and re-discovered who I am and loving myself. What a great gift this course was for me, the best holiday I would ever take would not compare to this journey of myself.

I came to Exceptional Woman grieving the loss of my son who is grown and off to college. I am leaving this week excited to develop and enjoy a new relationship with him and with myself. I am comfortable embracing change and looking forward to this next chapter of my life. I have tools to take with me that I will use for the rest of my life to create the most amazing life possible.

Exceptional Woman will help you stand tall in who you are. This week I changed from a small, hiding person who was afraid to speak out my story into someone who believes that I am more than my history and that I am strong and can stand tall in who I am.

Extraordinary Man has been an amazing journey with a band of brothers from all over the world with stories and experiences and outlooks as wide ranging as our geography. By turns boisterous, gentle, challenging, intimate, powerful and sweet, we’ve learned that our true strength lies in love and acceptance of our selves, each other and all the other lives we touch.

I have taken other Option Institute programs, which have been life-changing, butExceptional Woman was exceptionally life-changing. I shifted a limiting belief that I honestly had believed I could not change, and that belief was to love the way my body looks. Prior to this week, I thought I could change any other belief but this one was implacable. I was wrong! I have come out of this program truly, madly, deeply in love with my body as it is today. I also want to say that the 4 exceptional women who teach this class each bring unique style and those styles are like 4 pieces of a puzzle that, when put together, create a learning experience that is amazing and powerful and joyous. I will take this again.

The Option Institute is like opening up your grandfather’s tool box and discovering an exceptional cache of age-old devices enabling one to construct the home of your dreams, a life almost unimaginably magical.

In one week, I’m a totally different person. I can love everyone in my life now! And most important love myself. I even stopped smoking because I’m taking care of myself now. You will meet the most wonderful person here at the Option Institute — yourself!!!

Extraordinary Man has helped me learn more about the issues of masculinity, competitiveness, sexuality and how I “show up” than has any other course. I have come to many different courses here at the Option Institute. Each one has provided me with valuable learning’s along my life’s path. I’m coming back next year for even more!

I felt the course was so rich and full I honestly got to the end of the week feeling I had learned and gained so many powerful tools. I learned to love the parts of my being and body that I judge the most. To really truly love and accept myself and to realize I am truly beautiful and perfect as I am. That wanting to change didn’t mean having to be unhappy about where I am now, but that I could use love and acceptance as a vehicle to get me where I need to go. I feel every woman, young lady or girl should give herself the gift of this course.

Coming together with 22 men from around the world and sharing our experiences with no judgment from them was liberating. The love that I felt was different than I have ever felt in my 51 years on this planet. The questions and answers that were put up made for great exploration of what being a man is.

I came to Empowering Yourself in grief and with the “label” of widow. I was tired of crying. Even with the help of counseling and support groups, I had not really accepted my reality that I am a single woman with many opportunities. Within five days, I am completely changed! I embrace my life, know that my decisions are perfect for me, and see the validity of myself without filtering through another person.

Just when I thought I had nothing left to learn, Exceptional Woman taught me for the first time in my life what being a woman is really all about. Not only am I now proud to be a woman, but I have the ability to express what is exceptional about being a woman. And I now have the tools to really show who I am and to love me as an exceptional woman!

I came here with health issues I have had for twenty years. My body was reacting to almost every type of food I put into it. I had constant stomach aches and a skin rash and was underweight. Being here helped me explore the possibility. I can choose to be healed. No where else on earth provides a laboratory for exploring such exciting possibilities for ourselves. I am so blessed!

The Extraordinary Man program allowed me to look at how I operate from a different perspective as a man. I have sought external validation to prove to myself that I am enough in my sporting endeavors, work environment and ultimately in my relationships. I no longer need validation from other people-my dad, my mom, my kids, my colleagues and my friends. What a load off my shoulders!

I took a class years ago from someone who is now a mentor for the Option Institute…Changed Me!! I learned so much about myself, and unlearned things that no longer served me, (that was huge!)! I realized my power over myself, and the choices that I make that determine my own experience in this life. I’ve been able to help my son to free himself from his private world of high functioning autism/Aspergers through acceptance without judgment. My marriage has been saved from adopting a change in my beliefs about the idea of what I thought love was about. (I realized that I had been in love with the idea of the person I thought he should be….I changed that belief, and found a wonderful man standing before me, and fell in love with him all over again!)

I watch every video you post, and look forward to every status post! Thank you for the work you do! Your family is beautiful! You are truly an amazing force!

Extraordinary Man has been an amazing week and program for me. I call it inner strength for men. It is so important to see a group of men talk in an open, honest way that normally in our society does not happen. Being a man in the modern world is hard and has so many pressures that to be in this group and listen to men share how they feel and lay it out there about sex, marriage, being a wimp or strong, who am I, how should I be? It has been an incredible learning experience for me. I’m leaving here ready to be an Extraordinary Man. Thanks to everyone at Option Institute for this fantastic gift. Cheers.

I came to The Option Institute at the age of fifty, desperate, depressed and in a deep fit without a way to climb out. Many years of therapy, anti-depressants and other medications from former physicians and institutions had left me hopeless. Twelve days at The Option Institute changed the manner in which I view my entire life. The choice is mine – create the greatest version of me possible or remain miserable. If I choose the former, The Option Institute has the framework, tools and love for me to get there.”

The Option Institute is a haven to nourish your spirit, revitalize your joy and profoundly deepen your love for life. Through the week of Empowering Yourself, I have grown hugely-shredding limiting beliefs about what I can and cannot have, what I deserve and how capable I am to get what I want. I leave knowing I have the power to have what I want and to want what I have. This isn’t chicken soup for the soul-it’s a double espresso shot! And this time, you provide all the ingredients!

Inner Strength was an incredible two weeks! I have been challenged to face my fears and judgments and my ways of concealing authenticity. I have laughed and I have cried but I have grown in leaps and bounds – in ways I never dreamed possible. I have recognized the ways I have been using unhappiness as a choice and I have received the tools I need to change my beliefs to claim my right to be happy. I am a new person – confident and strong. I love myself now – and therefore am able to give genuine, non-judgmental love to others. Thank you for the gift of health and hope!

I came to Empowering Yourself in midst of my divorce – really working hard to push back fear, anger and grief, clinging to a belief that me and my children would make it! In coming to a realization on what I want and shifting to empowering beliefs – I leave for home, full of strength, love, clarity – ready to show my children that changes are blessings and opportunities in disguise.

Radical Authenticity has been so extremely amazing. I realize that when I am absolutely authentic, I give myself and my partner the opportunity to be open and honest on issues, like sex, family, partnership in decision making, money and emotional intimacy. Before Radical Authenticity, I thought I was taking a risk and now I know that the risk isn’t in being authentic, it’s in not being authentic.

My passion for my husband and other aspects of my life have exploded. I’m feeling so strong and loving and empowered. I’ve learned that being authentic is safe and I can stand alone. When I do stand alone, I do so with love not defensiveness or fear. I know that I can and I am will continue to create much deeper relationships by being authentic-giving all of the real me all the time.

The unique, loving, nurturing, growing experience of Empowering Yourself has wrapped 15 years of rehab therapy, counseling and self-help groups into a neat and beautiful parcel. My gratitude is profound as I can now start to live again. I am looking forward to this fantastic, beautiful life I shall have with hope instead of fear.

Radical Authenticity offers a stunningly effective alternative to society’s persuasive culture of lies, deceit, omissions and judgments. It provides tools to help you let go of your own judgments, embrace love and truth, and to let go of your worry about judgments of others.

Wow! Empower Yourself is like a tune-up for your mind – the opportunity to examine every aspect of how you live your life and why. I used to think, ‘I’m happy enough. I don’t need a course like this.’ Wrong! If you’re still breathing, no matter how happy you think you are, you can still transform your life in ways you have never even dared to dream were possible. Do this program!

Year after year I came up with reasons why I could not do Certification 2008-too much money and not enough time seemed to come up the most! Finally, after all is said and done, with a full month in my gut, I have to ask you the reader of this…”When are you going to decide that you are worth the money and the time to finally know yourself this deeply?” This month was a perfect example of jumping without a parachute and no stone has been unturned in my life…in the end I have landed on my feet-fully grounded at last. It was worth every penny!! AND ALL OF MY TIME!!

I believed the world and life in general was an unsafe and frightening place. Bad things happened, especially to me. Since coming to The Option Institute, I have changed my beliefs and now see life in a totally different way! I make happiness my priority. Life is truly a gift and a blessing.

Dear Bears, Samahria, Raun, Beverly and Clyde, Stan, and of course, Zoela!

I thought I would write notes of thanks to each of you, but as I think of one, I think of all. There is love and power in the group you have created. You are all so passionately and perfectly living the Option Attitude, teaching through your living example and your superb execution of the dialogue, so the laser sharp clarity, powerful commitment and conviction of the group have become so much greater than the sum of its parts – a force of nature that I celebrate in love. My wildest dreams could not have hinted at the bigness of the gift I gave myself in participating in the mentoring program you so lovingly created. I’ve never been happier!

From the moment I left the Institute after graduation you have been in my thoughts. Each of you, all of you, every morning as I open my eyes in gratitude for another day to joyfully play in. Every morning as I ask myself what my intention is, I think of you. Throughout my day as I check in to see how accepting and happy I am with myself and the world around me, I think of you. If my answer is ‘yes’, I’m living my intention. If my answer is ‘no’, a quick question of ‘what do I want more – the unhappiness or whatever it is that I’m using the unhappiness to get?’ has become my quick-draw tool of choice to help me crystallize and go after what I want.

I embrace you throughout my travels beautifully wrapped in the sublime glow of your smiles, words and footsteps. Yes, yeah, yippy, thank you, each of you, all of you!

In love,

Roe

Coming from a very logical, scientific background, on my first visit to The Option Institute I was filled with caution and skepticism, despite the fact that I had read some of the books and listened to some of the CDS and loved them. What I learned here was so much deeper and more useful to me than I could have even imagined. The Option Institute teaches a very simple model of stimulus-belief-response. How we feel (happy, unhappy, excited, angry, etc.) is entirely due to our beliefs, NOT the things that happen around us. By learning this formula, we can then implement this practice every day in every situation in our lives. If you decide to live this way, it will be the end of blaming, complaining, and being a victim. Simply put, I am much happier now.

I signed up for the Inner Strength program with a feeling that if this didn’t help, I would be lost. Not only did the program give me practical and easy-to-use tools to help build my inner strength, it also helped me discover strengths I did not know I had. I am now equipped to face anything the universe places in my path, and to deal with all issues with clarity and happiness. My life is no longer a battleground – it’s a playground!

I have suddenly become more aware of myself and I’m more accepting of myself. I know that if I am unhappy (or angry, sad, etc.) I’m choosing that. I realized how judgmental I have been of others, but how I was mostly judgmental of myself. I have the power to change myself and my beliefs. Recently, my father passed away and I was very angry. I blamed my mother for his death and I wanted people around me to feel as badly as I did. I have chosen not to be sad and angry anymore. I loved my father and now I’m able to enjoy the times we celebrated life together rather than be sad and angry about the time we no longer have. I have also chosen to speak with my mother and told her I had been angry with her, but I have now let it go.

I feel like I lost 10 pounds of unhappiness in three days. I feel more motivated to continuing living a happier and more loving life.

I was apprehensive and skeptical when I arrived! Within 4 hours I felt more love and acceptance than my prior 50 years. (If I could bottle this weekend and take a sip everyday of my life – How happy I would be!)”

Inner Strength has helped me become aware / identify areas of myself and my life that need to be put to work to my advantage. Inner Strength is one of those “must take” programs the Option Institute offers that is undoubtedly useful no matter where you are in your life. Dare to take it and flip your life around for the better!!!”

This weekend has been life changing for me. Personally I had always believed that the traumas I experienced in childhood would always influence me. Professionally I have dragged my clients back to their painful childhoods in hopes of helping them heal. I now believe that I can change my life and help my clients change theirs by focusing on changing attitude and beliefs, and believing that this can happen in a moment.

Being radically authentic is the only way to have real and sincere relationships with the people I love – because then I am really me! But even more, I find being radically authentic with myself is the greatest gift I can give myself. When I see myself judging or doing other things that I don’t like, I own it! That is the only way I can change! So being radically authentic with myself and everybody else is not only the safest way to travel, it will also be the only way to get me where I want!”

The weekend made all that I read in Bears’ books come alive. All of it is true! “Life changing” may be cliché but it is the truest expression of what happened on this perfect weekend. Worth every minute of our long trip!

WOW!!! I thought I had it all together before I came here (taken other programs 4-5 years ago). In Radical Authenticity I opened myself up to areas in my life I was still being inauthentic. A fascinating learning experience!! I now realize that 100% authenticity is the path for my emotional and physical well-being. I will continue to return to the Option Institute for fun and self-learning. With the concepts I have learned here over the years I have created an absolutely incredible life for myself. I have immense gratitude for the people who work here and for the Option Process.

Before coming to Fearless I was a paralyzed person; couldn’t make a decision to save my life, afraid I would make the wrong one – so I didn’t make one at all. I was afraid that I couldn’t take care of myself and that life would pass me by and I would miss my chance and purpose. I am now unstuck, have made a decision, have let go of judgments, found my purpose in life and feel so free and excited that I am moving forward.

After 51 years of fear, I was able to let my guard down and show my emotions without fearing what others thought. There is now much more clarity in understanding why I was so full of fear. There is also clarity in understanding how to release my fears to experience happiness.

In radical authenticity I realized I was lying all the time to protect myself and others. I found peace simply by being myself without playing roles. I am no longer a compartmentalized person- I am no wholly myself and congruent in all interactions. Challenges come, but I handle them effortlessly without anxiety. Thank you.

I came not realizing how paralyzing fear was gripping my life in so many areas. I did not even know the depth fear drove me every day-not even the tip of the iceberg! Now, I am awake, I can recognize it, the beliefs feeding it and choose differently. I finally feel safe inside myself and the universe.

Certification 2009 went way beyond my wildest dreams. Not only did I learn the basic skills needed to mentor, but I experienced an exponential growth in myself and my 7 sisters. I leave transformed, I start a new episode in my life. These 4 weeks I have laughed, loved and had joy that I hadn’t known before.”

Certification 2007 has without a doubt been one of the most significant and powerful months of my life. The program has been delivered with excellence; the classes were fun, clear, well-balanced and very useful. The love and support from all the staff to learn and grow has been outstanding. Thank you so much for your willingness to take each step in training and self-studentship with each of us. It is an honor and a delight to now be a fully equipped mentor and an ambassador for this process in the world.

Taking Option Process® Mentor/Counselor training at 57 years of age has allowed me to understand myself in a way I could never before have imagined possible. It’s like starting the rest of my life anew with the unlimited experience love and fun can bring. I’m so grateful!”

Calm Amid Chaos was excellent. I have always been resistant to change. Through the Intelligrid I can see that change is good. I have found it is important to believe in a benevolent universe and the reward will be in the future.

The Option Process is about learning to be the best version of yourself! It is about finding your own inner core and peel away all the layers of discomfort and unhappiness! Certification 2009 has exactly been above that – in a huge way! Not only have I learned so much about myself for these 4 weeks – so many layers of discomfort have been discovered and peeled away – but I have also gained the skill to continue the process and the journey on my own! And the ability to give this gift to other people in my life!

How can something so simple be so effective and all-encompassing? I have searched most of the major religions for principles to live by and beliefs that would be useful for me, comforting in time of pain. The Intelligrid is the first system I have found which inspires me to make a “leap of faith,” the first set of beliefs I’d want to embrace in any office, in the car and on my deathbed. Thank you so much for this powerful gift.

After attending various workshops over the last 7 years, one hour at the Happiness Option Weekend gave me clear and practical tools to allow me to create real changes in my life. I found unhelpful beliefs can be changed.

My husband and I have learned how to love each other in ways we never thought possible. We had a shut down in our relationship. He went his way, outside of our marriage and I went my way, to shut down emotionally and sexually. We chose not to give up on our marriage and look at our choices as a gift. We have begun anew and with that are all the possibilities we can achieve and have in an authentic and loving partnership.

I experienced the Happiness Option as an eye opener! The Option Dialogue is the most direct way to get to know yourself and your behaviors to others. Teaching is loving and extremely helpful. For everyone who wants to know why, how and when they react the way they do. A challenge to get the most out of your lives. Doing The Happiness Option is reaching out to yourself and creating the life you want!

My first experience of a course in the USA has felt safe, secure and life-changing. Before I arrived I was nervous and wondered if I was letting myself in for meeting people who weren’t living in the real world.

I wanted practical stuff to apply to everyday living. That is most definitely what I got! It’s good to know that there are lots of resources here I can access even after I leave here. Thanks!

Couples Course has been the best investment of time and money that I have ever spent. This is better than any vacation, cruise, or honeymoon I could ever imagine. Our relationship and our lives are forever changed. This is a week of happiness, love, and learning that will last a lifetime. I highly recommend Couples Course to all couples old and young, long or short.

So very, very useful! You laid out tools for us each day, explained them, showed us how amazingly effective they were and invited us to pick them up. The learnings build up to an impressive tool kit of different ways to choose fearlessness. Fantastic. I know I am taking a new me home; so much more powerful and effective in my world – and happy!

Couples Course has been a life changing experience. I arrived on Sunday with a large burden of doubt and lack of clarity for my twenty year marriage. After only one and one half days both my wife and I through the exercises we participated in, created intention and a commitment to create a new and loving relationship together. This is truly a wonderful and magical place. Thank You All.

I came to Fearless thinking how the hell is this going to help me with my fears , but came anyway. It has been the best week of my life; for the first time I understand me and love others around me in the world. I really had to look at myself which is not something I have ever done because I judged myself and others in my life. I have found my own power and self trust and believe in myself seeing the world as a friendly place, happy to live and be grateful for all in my life, mostly myself and really understood that to make sense of the world I just need to make sense of myself and that everything that happens is for my benefit and the world is my teacher

Finding light in your own tunnel of darkness is not always easy to do on your own. I came here lost about how to get forward movement in my life. I suffered for too long thinking I should be able to do this on my own, also not totally admitting the depth of my despair. To my surprise it is really very simple. Now I can see how I am only one in control of my destiny.

I came to Fearless riddled with fear and learnt the tools to remove it. I learnt to have a great sense of gratitude for everything and I am not fearful of fear as I leave this course.”

Wide Awake is filled with people who want the same thing, to sincerely grow themselves and become more loving and accepting. I came to this program with a lot of things I wanted to change and I leave with each thing on my list being checked off. I was fearful of men rejecting me, I was functioning from a place of not believing I could do things I said I wanted to do, this has all changed. And on top of that I can see myself more clearly, hence a new insight to how I was operating in my life and from that understanding, it now seems easy how to change and not a mystery. I will take this program every year.

Fearless has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I’ve dropped beliefs that have haunted me all my life and am loving myself with the one I still have.

Wow! This has been the best week of my life! Hard to believe, considering how many life-changing weeks I have already had here, but it’s true! I took my issue with alcohol and worked with it, and it’s done, forever. I looked at my issue with weight, worked with it, and it’s done, forever. I took leap after leap for the things I wanted with a sense of freedom and fearlessness like I’ve never felt before in 45 years of life! Wide Awake has been the highest step so far to me being exactly the man I’ve always wanted to be.

Fearless was cool. A fantastic learning experience. Life is busy when your running around, working, you’re married or you have other problems in your life and it was great to come here, relax and learn and see how much fear has ruled my life. I was amazed that people in my Fearless class had so much fear, too, a lot similar to myself and we spent one week learning how we can change, we approach and face life fearlessly. I have discovered that my fear is in my head, it’s not out there. Even when I am faced with problems I have a choice so thanks Option Institute for showing me I have that choice and I choose to be fearless.

I have been coming to the Option Institute for more than 10 years. I continue to become more self-aware and more loving with each unfolding day. I assisted my father as he died this year from bone-cancer. Because of what I have learned here, it was the most amazing, peaceful, miraculous event of my life and I believe I helped my Dad be more comfortable in his final days. What is truly amazing is that this process of learning the Option Process has been such great fun and yield benefits too numerous to count.

I struggled with a decision for two years, after one morning here I was completely clear and profoundly free of confusion. Not only was a dark cloud lifted, but I saw that the dark cloud itself was a beautiful thing

Top Vacation Choice of 2006! There is nothing that can’t be said, no places that one is barred from exploring, within this fabulous group of open, dynamic people. Bears creates a magical, safe cocoon where each and every participant can dig deep and claim gems for themselves.”

My life seemed chaotic until I took Calm Amid Chaos. Nothing about my life will ever again be chaotic or seem random. Everything is changing so I won’t be digging in but will change with it and loving myself and the changes.

My experience as a student in Wide Awake (at the Option Institute) has been profound, but wonderful in a very light and easy way. The subjects of how to love, how to let go of judgments, how to be happy are taught with a gentleness that encourages a willingness to explore how I have been “operating” in the world and permits a desire to make changes. For me making decisions from peace, not fear, choosing to be open, letting go of self judgments and presenting myself to others authentically. Wow!”

I came here to deal with my husband being killed. I came to realize over the five days that I can let the pain and grief go, but keep Paul forever in my heart. Change my beliefs – change my life. Now I see a future, I used to think my life was over. This is indeed a place for miracles for it has given me and my two boys back our lives. It’s time to be happy! The best week ever – thanks guys. I felt loved and secure being amongst the other participants – some will be friends forever.

Intelligrid is a fully functional, all-encompassing tool for happiness. I can be anywhere, in any situation, without fear. I am able to do this because Intelligrid is simple, easy to use and leads me straight to happiness. I recommend Calm Amid Chaos as one of the most profound courses at the Option Institute.”

Power Dialogues has not only provided the tools for my own exploration, it has helped me empower myself to question my own beliefs more in one week than in 30 years.”

My experience as a student in Wide Awake (at the Option Institute) has been profound, but wonderful in a very light and easy way. The subjects of how to love, how to let go of judgments, how to be happy are taught with a gentleness that encourages a willingness to explore how I have been “operating” in the world and permits a desire to make changes. For me making decisions from peace, not fear, choosing to be open, letting go of self judgments and presenting myself to others authentically. Wow!”

In 30 years as a psychiatrist, never has any process taught me so much about how to be with others. The Option Process is a great gift. I am grateful.

I came to Power Dialogues in order to add dialoguing to my Son-Rise Program at home. I am leaving today with so much more than I had expected to get. Such as:
1. A much more in-depth understanding of the incredible miracle of the dialogue.
2. A new conviction about my ability to choose my degree of happiness and comfort in my life.
3. A deepened joy and excitement about my relationship with my mother, who attended Power Dialogues with me as a celebration of her 75th birthday.

This is my favorite program. Having taken it for a second time now and having used the intelligrid to make sense of events in my life already. I now see opportunities I missed. How exciting. I feel equipped for life.

Transforming, wonderful, awesome, worth every penny, actually in retrospect it would easily been worth five times as much; in reality though it’s priceless.

Advanced Power Dialogues is the most challenging and rewarding program I have attended. The dialogue is the heart of the Option Process and Advanced Power Dialogues has brought my understanding of the dialogue to a whole new level. I find myself wanting to advance my learning and take it further and further.

I thought I had a pretty good relationship with my husband. I came here to make sure I was getting the most out of it. I leave now knowing that I have so much to give to and so much to receive from my partner. The possibilities are endless. I will be forever grateful to the Option Institute for opening my eyes to this wonderful relationship I have discovered with my husband.

I realized only a week or two before coming to Advanced Power Dialogues that I want to become a mentor for myself! How exciting! I have learned that I can love myself through my exploration of myself and it creates such a great clarity in my exploration. I have always struggled with the “why” questions because of my self judgments. Now when I begin asking myself the “why” – why am I doing, saying, feeling this…I can become really present and identify the stimulus and belief instead of beating myself repeatedly with the response! Hooray. I am growing!

Every couple should take the opportunity to nurture their marriage in this way. I have never had an experience with my husband that has drawn us closer or more satisfied than this. Practical tools coupled with love made the delivery of materials delicious!”

If you want to immerse yourself in the best process on the planet for promoting peace and love in the world starting in the most powerful place within-THIS IS IT. Look no further, you have found it!

I have learnt how to transform my relationship in just one week. Don’t wait to do Couples Course, take the decision to go as soon as possible.

If you think you know how to teach, think again! Group Facilitator Training highlights foundational and attitudinal skills, as well as technical skills that will launch you into a whole other realm of teaching! The skills I learned here in 1 week have done more to advance my skills as a teacher than 5 years of college and 15 years in the field!

I wish every couple this program. For me it has been a revolution. It has changed our relationship into something GREAT and made it an ADVENTURE and a GIFT OF LOVE.

Group Facilitation Training Program gave me a fantastic set of skills and tools to help me implement them in both my professional and personal life. However, the biggest thing I am taking away has been a better understanding of myself and how I show up in my life and why, where I short circuit myself and how I do that in an attempt to look after myself, even if it’s not effective. I have made huge leaps in self acceptance and I am so grateful for the chance to do that as it will change absolutely every aspect of my existence. I intend to build further on this. The only way is up for me now!!!

With our 10th anniversary approaching, my husband suggested we come to CouplesCourse. It has been a beautiful week and I can think of no better way to enhance a relationship. Our relationship has been very loving, but with the complicated lives we were living, it was not as full of the intimate connections we used to have. The tools we were given and the authentic sharing of the couples around us sent us away with a real sense of excitement for the adventure ahead. It was really special to do this course facilitated by such loving teachers who were willing to share their experiences as well as question ours.

Group Facilitation Training was like being a sorcerer’s apprentice – you let us take the wand (in this case, the mic) and opened up the spellbook that you use to create the magic in the classroom, to let us play, stretch, and experience our own power. Even though the “focus” wasn’t on personal development – and perhaps because of it – I felt myself making some major shifts inside. The implied “should” (that I historically have given myself) was gone and I was moving from want.

Wide Awake just topped the list of my favorite programs! I can’t imagine a more wonderful way to spend a week of my life. It was so incredible to fly with Bears and my classmates with no curriculum whatsoever, constructing our own completely unique, completely perfect program, moment by moment, just as we construct ourselves, our love, our experience in every individual instant. It has been so peaceful for me; I have reached a truly deeper connection within myself. Even my understanding of time, I now view as a sense of moments, each unique, each bursting with possibility, none dependent on the one before.

So you think you know how to be an effective group leader and facilitator, eh? Try Group Facilitation Training on for size and see what mere heights you can reach. Truly a one-of-a-kind experience from a one-of-a-kind operation. Group Facilitation Training –Option Institute style. Well worth every dollar.

Going deep, deep, deep with much love and happiness, Wide Awake is a program like no other program which provides a frame to fundamental changes. It allows me to work on every day challenges deeper and more profound area anywhere else. Wide Awake is where you go when “good” is not enough; you want outstanding. In Wide Awake I experienced so much love, fun and changes. It has been the most life changing program ever!”

My purpose in coming here was to jump out into the world and be the biggest, bravest, most beautiful version of myself. During this week, I gained some amazing, sustainable insights into my beliefs and how I operate in the world. I quit playing it safe and took some authentic risks in a nurturing environment. It really paid off. I practiced how I want to show up in the world, accepted feedback about how I presented myself, while still feeling that I was being loved. I laughed at myself and saw it too! I want to attract like-minded people into my life, therefore I now model what I want to attract.

Group Facilitation Training opened my eyes to what group facilitation is really all about. I went from being clueless and thinking it was all about the content, to understanding and believing it is about loving connection and your attitude: curious, loving, present flexible delighted. Thank you for the road map to greatness.

WideAwake- I took this advanced course 2 years ago and loved it. This year I loved it ever more. No matter how many courses you’ve done this one tops them all. Although there is no specific focus in this week the topics and discussions are so advanced and insightful given the fact that Bears teaches the entire program off curriculum and you’re surrounded by other like minded participants who dig deep and truly are students of themselves.

When I take classes at The Option Institute, it’s like giving myself soul food. My inner being gets nourished and, just like feeding our physical bodies, one meal is not enough. Coming regularly every year keeps my sense of self healthy.

When I came, I wanted to work on my being very judgmental. After Power Dialogues, I have not only benefited from being more non-judgmental, I have found myself a lot more comfortable within myself, able to be more present during classes and interactions outside the classroom. This way I have learnt more, felt more loving and excited about taking this into my world for the benefit of myself, my family and those I come in contact with

Coming to The Option Institute for multiple programs in a row has helped me to make profound changes in my belief structures and about myself. I have gone from being so unsure of who I was to having now within me the tools for self-studentship, the fascination to explore ME and the determination to be true to myself.

I looked for the best professional development and leadership training in the world and I found it in Power Dialogues at The Option Institute. The program and the Institute are outstanding and far beyond what I thought was possible.

My experience here as a “First Timer” was very pronounced, very illuminating and beneficial in so many ways. I leave here excited about the information that has been awakened inside me to be used to move me into the light of ongoing love. The teaching techniques I have been exposed to were outstanding and very effective and I look forward to using the new tools to create ongoing happiness and sweetness in my life. I would love to come back one day again for more.

In Power Dialogues, I learned to be 100% present, be non-judgmental, non directive and loving as a mentor. I will take this attitude home and apply it to all of my relationships. I created for myself an experience of utter fascination with listening and tracking conversations and dialogue. This is the 6th Option Institute program I have attended and I believe I have a deeper understanding of the Power Dialogue process. The mentor attitude will enrich my life and relationships.

When I first came into Inward Bound I was skeptical in a sense that this was not the place for me. I kept an opened mind because I really wanted to change my life and my habits. As I sat through each class, I found that every lesson had a point to it and that each person can take something different out of it and use that to help them change. Everything we did related differently to each individual and I found that if one really wants to make a change in their life, this is the place to come to. This week has changed my beliefs and views dramatically and has allowed me to make many life-long friends.

Power Dialogues has totally changed my life. I have overcome challenges I have been facing since I was a child – lack of self-esteem, needing others to like me in order to like myself, hiding my true self. I know now which path I want to take and am certain that even if I stray from the path occasionally, I have everything I need to get back on track every time.

One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had with my grown children is doing an Option Institute program with them. It has paid huge dividends and transformed the way we relate in the most positive ways possible!

After taking Power Dialogues I have deeply understood that I choose my own happiness and have the tools and have the experienced how to do that. This has resulted in a physical change within my system and I am now more mobile/able to walk and at times I am running. This is a fantastic turn around for someone with multiple sclerosis.

I came to The Option Institute to volunteer after 6 months of exploring the world. I had no idea that my two months at Option would be the best part of my trip. Every day here is a new experience. Never before have I been in an environment so full of love and acceptance and people willing to be spontaneous. Being here has showed me that every day in life can be an adventure. Whether it’s gaining new experience working in the Worldwide Communications Department or learning to be my best self in volunteer classes or exploring nature’s playground all over campus there is always something happening. It’s pretty much the complete package; I’m learning great skills in marketing for my resume, I’m discovering so much about myself in volunteer classes and I’m having the time of my life exploring the Berkshires with 8 other amazing volunteers. I feel so lucky that people pay to come here and I get to experience all of this for free. I would recommend volunteering to absolutely anyone who wants to experience life to the fullest and is interested in learning how to choose happiness in their life every day.

Swimming at waterfalls, lakes and rivers, bike riding on long country roads, bon fires, hiking up mountains and trails are just some of the things I had the opportunity to enjoy while volunteering at The Option Institute. As a volunteer I have a full work week at various departments on property. I get the opportunity to work with different people all the time giving me the chance to make new friends for life. Just be prepared to work hard to the best of your abilities. The living arrangements are fun. I live with a roommate and seven other volunteers so there is always someone to talk to or go on an adventure with. The staff is outgoing and helpful, I always learn something new every day. We also have the chance to observe classes which is great. I have the best of both worlds; I work during the day with my housemates, attend classes a few times a week and explore the beautiful environment that nature has provided us with. Overall this is a great place to volunteer, make new friends, learn new skills that are helpful in life, discover new things about yourself, and a great working vacation.

Advanced Power Dialogues really takes the Option Process Dialogue to the next level by total immersion in both the mentor attitude and the technical details of the process. For anyone wanting to explore more about themselves and others and how that can lead to a new spiritual and loving dimension to their life, this program is awesome.”

I came to Group Facilitation Training Program expecting to learn presentation techniques. How awesome that I learned many things about myself and how I interact with people. The presentation techniques taught here are truly amazing and unique. Toastmasters and Dale Carnegie courses have very little to offer compared to Group Facilitation Training. I am returning home with a tool box full of techniques and the knowledge that when I love my students I feel relaxed, I become playful and my class is already a success the moment I say my first words. Everyone can benefit from this course, even those who do not give presentations.

I came to Revitalize Your Spirit with a past history of abuse, abandonment, and a great deal of past judgments. I came fully armed with my usual self-protective mechanisms that I had finely tuned over 52 years. Without anxiety, fear, trepidation, or regret, I left them outside the door at the beginning of the second class. That was the first time in my life that I ever knew I could choose differently. I chose happiness and it only took me 2 ½ hours after 52 years of pain. Thank you!

I loved Group Facilitation Training. It has been two delicious weeks of self-discovery and skill building. I came with a clear sense that the program would help me move on issues in my family and professional life and have got everything I came for. I’m going home with real excitement at the prospect of putting into practice and seeking out more opportunities to practice and model the Option Process

I took Revitalize Your Spirit looking for a break, a little relief from the stress I have been living for the past ten months since my husband’s sudden death. After two or three days, I had begun laughing and it felt wonderful. I realized I had not laughed in the past ten months but I finally gave myself permission to

I have learnt many of the facilitating tools that have been such a joy for me to experience over the many programs I have taken at the Institute. I now feel well equipped to start facilitating at a level far higher than most of the planet. The standard you set is so high that I know I’m at a big advantage to see where it’s possible to go in the field of leading and facilitating. Hugely practical information taught in an engaging and effective way

The NEVERsettle Singles Program provided useful tools for clarifying what you want in a partner, identifying and breaking unwanted relationship patterns and knowing when it is time to quit and getting out gracefully.

On a scale of 1 to 10, Inward Bound was 100! I am leaving with a heightened awareness of myself, of God and the world I’ve created. I have deepened my sense of who I am and what my purpose is: to live life fearlessly, to love unconditionally, to laugh regularly and to learn continuously!