In last week's episode of EZ Conversations, I sat down with Donald Lee to explore his journey from music teacher to author, speaker, and spiritual leader. Throughout our conversation, Donald reflected on pivotal moments in his life and the lessons that shaped his understanding of the world.

One of the themes that surfaced repeatedly was the importance of paying attention to patterns. Donald shared how his observations led him to write about what he describes as an ongoing attack on human consciousness. He walked me through the evolution of warfare over the decades—from physical warfare, to information warfare, and ultimately to what he believes is the current battleground: the human mind.

As we discussed these ideas, Donald emphasized that the purpose is not to create fear but to encourage awareness. Fear, he suggested, is often what makes people susceptible to manipulation. Courage, on the other hand, creates the possibility for freedom.

Part of our conversation centred on the work of David Hawkins and his Map of Consciousness. Donald explained how Hawkins' logarithmic scale identifies courage at the pivotal level of 200. Below that threshold, people are more likely to experience life through the lens of fear, blame, helplessness, and victimhood. Above it, individuals begin to reclaim responsibility for their lives and move toward higher states of awareness such as acceptance, reason, and ultimately love.

The idea stayed with me long after our conversation ended.

A few days later, I found myself taking a long walk without any distractions. No podcast. No phone calls. No agenda. Just silence.

As I walked, I noticed how much of my attention had been consumed by responsibilities, goals, and the constant pursuit of the next achievement. While I often encourage others to step off the treadmill of busyness and reconnect with themselves, I realized that I, too, can get caught up in life's momentum.

So I slowed down.

I focused on my breathing. I paid attention to my body. I allowed myself to release some of what I had been carrying.

What emerged was a profound feeling of love—for myself, for my children, and for the people who have shaped my life, even those who have hurt me.

Over the past several years, I have had to let go of relationships that once mattered deeply to me. Some people were carrying their own fear, grief, resentment, or disappointment and, consciously or unconsciously, directing it toward me. The most compassionate thing I could do for both them and myself was to create distance.

That choice was not made from anger.

It was made from love.

There is grief that comes with separating from a friend, family member, or loved one. There is sadness in accepting that not every relationship can continue in the form we wish it would. Yet it takes courage to love someone who has hurt us because they themselves were hurting. Sometimes that love is expressed through presence. Sometimes it is expressed through boundaries. Sometimes it is expressed from a distance.

What I have learned is that carrying resentment rarely changes another person. More often, it keeps us tethered to the very pain we are trying to move beyond.

The same principle seems to apply on a larger scale.

We live in a world where fear is constantly amplified. We are frequently told that another group, ideology, nation, or community is the source of our problems. We are encouraged to see one another as threats rather than as fellow human beings.

Yet through my work and my travels, I have had the opportunity to connect with people from many different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. What I continue to discover is that beneath our differences, we share many of the same hopes, fears, struggles, and desires.

Which makes me wonder:

How often do we stop to examine the narratives we consume?

How often do we question whether fear is shaping our perception of reality?

And how often do we have the courage to choose love instead?

If there was one message I took away from my conversation with Donald, it is this: the goal is not to remain fearful of the forces that may influence us. The goal is to become aware enough to rise above them.

Courage is the doorway.

And love is what waits on the other side.

Which part of your life could use more courage today?

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