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Living what we believe sounds beautiful—until we’re tested.

Last week, while trimming bushes, a man stopped and engaged me in an intense conversation. He was provocative and a little menacing, but I stayed present. I listened. I looked him in the eye.

I was feeling pretty spiritually evolved…right up ‘til he called me “old man” and pegged me as 72.

“I’m 66,” I shot back defensively. (Apparently, practicing presence has its limits.)

Cherished belonging isn’t always being perfectly loving. It’s noticing where we get hooked—and coming back to presence.

It asks that we stay curious, listening, and willing to see the perfect soul beneath the triggering behavior.

I don’t know if our conversation changed anything for him. But it reminded me that unconditional acceptance is a practice.

So is letting go of vanity.