Last night I watched “ Into the Wild” directed by Sean Penn. It is the story of Chris McCandless who adventures across the country, leaving his world and family behind him to seek life’s truth in the Alaskan wild. At the end of the movie, and at the end of his life, Chris comes to a humble realization. He writes “Happiness isn’t real unless it is shared.”
I think I must have always known this truth, because my happiest memories are moments of time within a community. Summer camp, family vacations, The Artist’s Way
workshops, and road trips with friends – they all have a common thread of sharing moments with friends and family. When my second child was an infant, I looked into my life balance “relationship bucket” (that used to overflow without any effort) and realized it was close to being empty. My relationship with my children proudly looked up at me inside that bucket, but I realized my other relationships were out of balance. I needed to share my life and my life experiences with others to truly fill my relationship bucket again.
It took some time and a lot of energy to add to my relationship bucket, but I now actively work on creating a balance between my children and my other relationships. I have created several strategies to keep my “relationship bucket” as full as possible. Here are a few of my recent actions:
1. I take every Thursday evening off from being a mom and spend time with friends.
2. I registered for a creative writing workshop with SARK at a yoga center in the Berkshire Mountains. I can’t wait to share this experience with new friends.
3. My husband and I are experiencing Oprah’s online class “A New Earth Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” together.
How full is your relationship bucket? Is it out of balance?
How do you fill your relationship bucket? Do you believe happiness isn’t real unless it is shared?
By Stacey Hoffer
Stacey Hoffer is an ICF-certified mental health and emotional wellness coach, ancient feminine wisdom mentor, and upcoming author, who is powerful guide for cultivating deep inner peace. With a client list that includes Fortune 500 companies, the NFL, and women from all over the world, Stacey seamlessly blends evidence-based practices with ancient wisdom to deliver unparalleled transformations.
Known for her comforting approach, Stacey helps her clients navigate life’s inevitable challenges while reconnecting to their inner strength and calm. Her work goes beyond surface solutions — she offers practical tools and soul-deep insights that empower individuals to live in alignment with their authentic selves.
Stacey’s passion lies in guiding her clients back to their truest selves. Her message is clear: inner peace isn’t just attainable — it’s the foundation for a more joyful, empowered life. And it's a conscious, intentional, life long practice. Stacey believes If every person on this planet embodied self love and inner peace, we could achieve world peace.
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