We started out with our heart in the right place- all over us.

The plan is a good one; we’re set up to bask in the love of our mother big time.

It’s wired into her and me both. And that hairy guy peaking over her shoulder too.

The unconditionality, the affection back and forth. The growing awareness of love, life, gratitude even. Heart stuff definitely, and designed to experience early and often. Very good.

And growing right along with us is our little exploration kit: our body and brains.

And we can soon name this and that and it’s all so interesting. Can’t wait to go find those jelly beans I saw yesterday and make and play and play and jump.

And before too long, we’re ready to blast off from this pad and start our own exploration of the galaxy, and it’s so fascinating and thrilling and unpredictable and expensive and, and, and I am spinning right now. Takes all I’ve got to figure out my next move. Whew, what a ride. I guess it’s fun.

Now time for the Big Leagues? Team up? Okay! I’m ready for a tryout:

‘Ooh-aah- let’s-be-together!’

and,

‘<handshake>, ‘Let’s-work-together!’

and

‘Ha-ha- grin-let’s-hang-out!’…

and so on.

But then, ‘Ouch, owww! That really hurts when she cut me down. Don’t they understand me? I don’t like this! Gotta go! How do I stop all this? I don’t know what to say. They’re scowling and I feel out-of-place and lost. This teaming up stuff is rough! What are they thinking? What am I doing? This is not good. This ain’t the kind of team I want! My head hurts from thinking! Here, take that! Slash! Burn! Pow! This is awful, but you started it. And we don’t know how to say stop because we might be declared a loser. And so me against you and so on. Remember? Yep, it’s been that way a lot.

I’m tired of this.

I don’t want this.

There has to be a more fun way.

Okay, then. Your heart just heard that.

And because of your declaration that there must be more love instead, you just gave your heart an opening, and the chance to respond. And it does.

You just requested coaching and your heart is the all-star expert at it.

So hear the new instructions and relearn the feel of the ball and have fun getting around the bases with everyone this time and beyond. You’ll want to continue getting the hang of it.