Heather, I felt drawn to your intention of shifting from an individualistic view of personal development to a more collective lens of human development. It’s a conversation that resonates with me, and I appreciate the depth you bring to it. While I see the value in this integration, I also felt a sense of tension when the concept was framed as something entirely new.
The ideas you explore are deeply rooted in existing frameworks and philosophies:
Zen Buddhism (popularized by Thich Nhat Hanh) and its emphasis on interconnectedness.
Systemic viewpoints that recognize the context surrounding individuals and their relationships.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work, focusing on the interplay between different parts of the self and their connection to the external environment.
Nonviolent Communication (NVC), which addresses the relational dynamics between self and others and the expression of needs.
Communication theories like those by Thomas Gordon and Friedemann Schulz von Thun, which explore how our inner experiences shape and are shaped by our interactions.
What seems to be a novelty concept is how you’re weaving these threads together into a comprehensive framework. I think honoring the roots of these concepts can add even more depth to the beautiful work you’re doing. I’m genuinely curious to see how you continue to expand and evolve these ideas!
It would be presumptuous of me to suggest I had unearthed something new. I have been influenced by all of the sources you suggest and more. But what I have learned from many years of writing and teaching is that when I articulate my learning with the words that feel alive for me, it can sometimes create a new opening for someone else to arrive there too.
Thank you for clarifying, Heather. I appreciate how you acknowledged my point about the roots of these concepts while highlighting the importance of personal articulation. You’re absolutely right—sometimes it’s not about discovering something new, but about expressing familiar ideas in a way that feels authentic and opens doors for others. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve taken these influences and woven them into your own living framework. That personal touch brings such depth, and I look forward to seeing how it continues to evolve.
Yes! Maybe we start off alone looking for the others who we have lost along our way. I think humans are shifting back to what nurtures them. Inter connectivity be it with each other or all the other beings and living we share earth with.
This is such a great take. I write about 'personal development' but do often think about the ego-centric nature of it. My hope is that as each individual develops, they become more focused on their community, but perhaps it's time for me to reconsider the language I'm using.
Heather, it’s so interesting to watch your beautiful evolution on this. I have been practicing WTR principles and guiding programs for over five years. I remember discovering your work several years ago. It resonated with me partially, but I felt a disconnect. It was far too me-centered for me. I celebrate your process of connecting the dots and seeing our interdependence and interconnectedness. ❤️
Thank you! As humans, we are communal beings, so it makes sense to do communal work. We must get there ourselves, but that is only part of it. I will relate it back to choir (again): When we sing in groups, our bodies shift frequencies and sync with those around us, and we move forward together.
Heather, I felt drawn to your intention of shifting from an individualistic view of personal development to a more collective lens of human development. It’s a conversation that resonates with me, and I appreciate the depth you bring to it. While I see the value in this integration, I also felt a sense of tension when the concept was framed as something entirely new.
The ideas you explore are deeply rooted in existing frameworks and philosophies:
Zen Buddhism (popularized by Thich Nhat Hanh) and its emphasis on interconnectedness.
Systemic viewpoints that recognize the context surrounding individuals and their relationships.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work, focusing on the interplay between different parts of the self and their connection to the external environment.
Nonviolent Communication (NVC), which addresses the relational dynamics between self and others and the expression of needs.
Communication theories like those by Thomas Gordon and Friedemann Schulz von Thun, which explore how our inner experiences shape and are shaped by our interactions.
What seems to be a novelty concept is how you’re weaving these threads together into a comprehensive framework. I think honoring the roots of these concepts can add even more depth to the beautiful work you’re doing. I’m genuinely curious to see how you continue to expand and evolve these ideas!
It would be presumptuous of me to suggest I had unearthed something new. I have been influenced by all of the sources you suggest and more. But what I have learned from many years of writing and teaching is that when I articulate my learning with the words that feel alive for me, it can sometimes create a new opening for someone else to arrive there too.
Thank you for clarifying, Heather. I appreciate how you acknowledged my point about the roots of these concepts while highlighting the importance of personal articulation. You’re absolutely right—sometimes it’s not about discovering something new, but about expressing familiar ideas in a way that feels authentic and opens doors for others. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve taken these influences and woven them into your own living framework. That personal touch brings such depth, and I look forward to seeing how it continues to evolve.
Yes! Maybe we start off alone looking for the others who we have lost along our way. I think humans are shifting back to what nurtures them. Inter connectivity be it with each other or all the other beings and living we share earth with.
This is such a great take. I write about 'personal development' but do often think about the ego-centric nature of it. My hope is that as each individual develops, they become more focused on their community, but perhaps it's time for me to reconsider the language I'm using.
Nailed it.
Heather, it’s so interesting to watch your beautiful evolution on this. I have been practicing WTR principles and guiding programs for over five years. I remember discovering your work several years ago. It resonated with me partially, but I felt a disconnect. It was far too me-centered for me. I celebrate your process of connecting the dots and seeing our interdependence and interconnectedness. ❤️
Wonderful insights, thank you, Heather.
Thank you! As humans, we are communal beings, so it makes sense to do communal work. We must get there ourselves, but that is only part of it. I will relate it back to choir (again): When we sing in groups, our bodies shift frequencies and sync with those around us, and we move forward together.