Weekly: It helps you grow

I’ve been pondering this quote this week, from Rainer Maria Rilke, that I wanted to share with you:

“For one human being to love another: that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation.”

In today’s newsletter, we’re exploring the power of love—and how it has the surprising power to help us to grow. I hope you like it!

With love,
Stephanie Harrison, founder of The New Happy

This Week

Old Happy: "I have to grow all by myself.”
New Happy: “Other people can help me grow.”

When you have to hide who you are — you suffer.

When you can be who you are — you can feel more joy, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to the world.

But when you are loved for who you are — oh, that's when you really grow, in ways that you can't presently imagine.

That's why one of the greatest gifts we can give someone is to love them, exactly as they are. When you accept another person's authentic self, you also are enabling them to step into a new version of that self. Your love can help them to expand and transform.

Old Happy will tell you that growth is all about what you do for yourself: your choices, your habits, your risks, your successes.

But it turns out that growth is also about what others do for you.

(It also works in reverse. By loving someone for who they are, you'll find that you end up growing, too.)

Tips and Tools

1. When times are hard — This week's animation.

2. Notice the patterns — The power of zooming out.

3. The price you pay — How to stop avoiding tasks.

4. Honor your journey — They don’t know, but you do.

5. Ask for help — It’s one of the strongest things you can do.

More from TNH

Book — Preorder New Happy today and discover the real secrets of happiness.

Podcast — Get a daily morning pep talk — in five minutes or less

Speaking — Book us to speak to your team about well-being, resilience, and productivity.

Articles — Read more articles on our website.

Community

What makes you feel loved?

“I feel loved when someone remembers the little things about me: whether that’s my favorite food or something I said a year ago and everything in between.”

“When someone makes me feel heard, seen, included or considered.”

“Having deep conversations and traveling with friends makes me feel loved.”

“When my someone does something thoughtful for me without me asking.”

“Someone taking the time and effort to complete something on my to do list for me makes me feel loved- especially if it’s a nice surprise!”

“Hugs. The ones that linger. The ones that embrace. Preferably, the ones that are skin-to-skin and heartbeat-to-heartbeat.”

Read more