What does it mean to be hearty? 

We are bombarded with the idea that the pursuit of

happiness requires us to achieve, acquire, impress, 

This puts us on a path of relentless "self-improvement"

- which is really just a form of self-bullying that often leads

back to dissatisfaction. 

To be hearty is to take an OTHER path to a

healthy and meaningful life. The dictionary

definition of hearty - "robust and nourishing" - 

points to a something more substantial than 

chasing after comfort and pleasure. The hearty

approach to life focuses on wellbeing, connection

and fulfillment by leveraging the two greatest strengths

of our human heart - courage and kindness.  

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The five components of a hearty mindset:

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Discomfort is inevitable

We are simply not biologically built to feel good all the time. If you live inside a human body, you are going to feel physical, emotional, and psychological discomfort - no matter how accomplished, popular, wealthy, or admired you are.  
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                                                                                Struggle is added

                                                                                When discomfort shows up, our first                                                                                                instinct is often to contract, avoid, blame,                                                                                    or complain. We put energy into resisting                                                                                      and escaping that is ineffective and                                                                                                  unnecessary. This is energy that could go                                                                                      into purposeful effort to address the                                                                                                challenge we are facing.   

Love is available

We have access to powerful internal resources such as love, gratitude, joy, and wonder at all times. Rather than waiting until circumstances trigger these emotions, we can experience love whenever we choose to be loving.  

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Everything is practice

The human brain is constantly rewiring itself based upon our behavior. Where we ​focus our attention and energy during the day determines which connections are built in our nervous system. We don't just get better at the things we want to - we get better at whatever we do repeatedly. 

Enough right now

You have all the internal resources you need to deal with whatever you are facing or will face in the future. You always have. You do not need to be "fixed" or "improved." You are free to develop and strengthen your skillset, but that doesn't mean that there is something wrong with you. 

The five practices for a hearty skillset (O.T.H.E.R):

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Opening and Observing

This is the skill of awareness and acceptance.

By paying attention to our posture and breathing -

by meeting whatever is happening within us and 

around us without resistance, we create space

for clarity and ease. 

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Trusting

This is the skill of compassion and confidence.

By acknowledging what we are feeling and

finding faith in our ability to work with it, we can

build our capacity to face uncertainty and

challenge of all kinds.

                                                                          Helping

                                                                          This is the skill of connection and service.

                                                                          By listening, understanding, supporting and

                                                                          communicating assertively, we can meet the

                                                                          human needs for psychological safety,                                                                                            belonging, and mattering. 

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                                                                          Expanding

                                                                          This is the skill of cultivating and accessing                                                                                  positive internal states such as gratitude,                                                                                    wonder, joy, and love. These broadening                                                                                        emotions allow us to be with challenging                                                                                        experiences more peacefully and                                                                                                      purposefully.   

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Responding

The path of purposeful action. Responding is the skill of choosing where to put attention and energy based on values, goals, commitments, and relationships