Personal Stories

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In 1982, I was an aggressive New Yorker, tough guy, rock ’n’ roller, always needing to be first, seen as strong, in control, shrouded in the guise of a spiritual seeker and quester for love and truth.

I was also in the midst of a failing marriage and some parenting dynamics which had me tied into a great deal of fear about what would happen to my son in the future if I was to leave the marriage. Quite a picture.

Then a friend invited me to take the weekend.

I was confronted with my habitual behaviors.
I began the ongoing process of seeing what I was not seeing about my proving and my fear.
I was touched to my core. Inspired. Connected.

The truth was and is that I am a seeker with a big heart and deep caring for the world and all creatures who share this planet we call earth.

Twenty-five years later, I am a trainer for this program of courses called More To Life. A continually Life-Changing experience. A window into a way of being where I can be all I am without the proving and to bring myself to my world with all my gifts and my faults. An arena to share what I know, and continue my learning.

Just that. Wow!

Warren Kahn
Sebastopol, California

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Practicing what I learned on More To Life has taught me that happiness is a choice, and Life has taught me I’d rather be happy than not! I am happy because I have learned that I can change my negative emotions.

I love the softness I now experience: to know how to forgive myself, and others, is a precious, life-giving skill. I am loving in a new way, being ‘for’ my friend, accepting, listening, and trusting. It’s wonderful - I have so many friends and connections, which I am enjoying so much! I no longer have this constant tension in my stomach, guilt. I am free! I don’t panic as much, don’t flounce off when I perceive rejection. I trust myself more, I trust others, I trust life.

One thing of value I have achieved through practicing this work is creating a friendship with my former husband after a painful separation. I’m soft and light. I feel there’s less of me yet more of me. In my best moments I feel transparent, luminous, connecting, in the flow. Thank you for supporting this precious being to emerge.

Anne Lamont-Low
Christchurch, New Zealand

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Since taking the More To Life weekend, many things have changed in my life. For instance, I have become a more relaxed golfer! In the past, I would have gotten angry and beaten myself up for every missed shot that ‘should’ have been hit in exactly the ‘right’ way. I would have told myself ‘I should know how to play this game by now.’ However, while I am sporty and athletic, I had taken a total of four golf lessons in my entire life and did not practice regularly. Now I practice more and take more lessons, while feeling relaxed and clear – even about the two balls I lost last night in the pond!

Another thing I realized is that for many years I had feared my mother, wanting please her in every way by being what she wanted me to be. Now, 37 years later, I know why I am on this earth: to love and to teach others. In the school where I work, I make conscious choices not to fear women, but to support them in being who they are, knowing that they have always done the best they know how.

Chris Lewis
Whangarei, New Zealand

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Through More To Life I have discovered vulnerability and passion and love, and trust and forgiveness of others and myself. It has given me new freedom, and led to an acceptance of myself and others, as well as a hope for others to have this too.

Over time I’ve also experienced a deepening understanding and learning, and a wish to see a difference in the world. I’ve learned to live in the moment, and be at one with myself, others and Life. This has led to such deep joy and gratitude for life, and also deep sadness at times. Now I move in the world more freely, more creatively, less inhibited by the cultural and learnt baggage of my past. I am less demanding of myself and of others and also of how life should be.

I feel more at ease with life. I am often moved by wonder and touched by the sacredness of everyday things, and often when the truth is told and forgiveness experienced.

I have taught others, and learnt from that. I have created my life as it is. Building my business as an architect, building my home, finding the place where my wife and family wanted to live and all that from a vision of what I wanted to create, seeing the space I would be in to write this before I even knew where it would be. I have good friends whom I trust and who will tell me the truth. I have loved ones around me.

David Hayes
Devon, UK

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On taking the basic More To Life weekend in ’84, the most ground-breaking revelation for me was to learn that I had ‘choice.’ I had not heard the word before and certainly did not know how to use it, let alone that I could apply it to me!

When I am caught in drivenness, or emotional turmoil, or generally stuck, I remind myself that there is a way out because I have a choice. Even if it seems ‘difficult’ and ‘horrid’ and ‘heartbreaking’, there is no ‘have to’ – and then suddenly, I can see a way forward.

This wondrous gift led to my 15-year passion of passing on what I have learnt. I loved every minute of being a licensed mentor, teaching the short courses on self-esteem and the power of purpose. The joy of my ‘chicks’ hatching into their lives, and the reward of their continuing with the work, because of what I taught them, still warms me.

Gilli Stephens
Cambridge, UK

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Having left a 17-year dysfunctional, co-dependent marriage with an alcoholic spouse, I was searching for myself again – for the person who had confidence, could provide for herself and her children, have a successful career, and be independent. I wanted to live my life in a healthy way so I could be a positive role model for my children and for myself.

The More To Life weekend, Way of a Warrior, interacting with teams, and reading lines from their books and Guidelines – all of these have impacted my life.

I may not always practice what I was taught, but I am always AWARE of my reactive self (or as I say, when my buttons are pushed). I am in tune with how it feels when something happens I didn’t want or expect. I am awakened each time and I know that I have a CHOICE for my life to be different.

I first attended the More To Life weekend in Spring of 1995 in Atlanta. I am eternally grateful to everyone associated with it for the knowledge, unconditional acceptance, and tools provided to live a healthy life.

Thank you!

Gwen Kelsey
Annapolis, Maryland

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In London in 1984, a friend of ours said to Annie & myself that her cousin had been to this amazing course called More To Life in the States and we could come along to have a listen to what it was all about at an introductory evening.

It was just prior to the first London course and I remember one of the presenters that evening being asked if this was brainwashing and responding that it was more like mind-rinsing. Annie & I signed up that evening for what was then the 2-weekend training.

Over the next few years More To Life became a rock on which we built outstanding friendships and addressed many challenges. After that first course, we were so impressed that we played on the subsequent training teams & helped to get a center going in London – Annie being the first office manager at Swiss Cottage. Our first son, Luke, was born during this time and we are both enormously grateful for the lessons we learned then. When we came to Perth, Australia, we ran the Self Esteem course out here. The dedication and passion of the trainers and many others have enriched us beyond words.

Edward & Ann Brown
Perth, Australia

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Jay and I married over 20 years ago, a year after attending More To Life in Texas in 1986. I believe that our marriage and family life are what they are today – loving, fun, respectful and supportive – because of the tools and insights gleaned from this material.

For me, More To Life has been like a fine wine – mellowing with age and maturity. Although I ‘worked’ my new skills more fervently when I was younger, now I see my humanity, and forgive others and myself faster. And one of the best parts is that when I don’t, I have a partner who often helps me to take a look and make choices accordingly.

When I notice the thinking behind my behavior – towards our children, for instance – clear it up, and then choose to ask for forgiveness and actually talk with them instead of barking at them, miracles can happen. And have. We have a 13-year-old son who shares openly with us, loves his little sister and has a good heart…yep, miracles happen.

Pam Diamond
Cary, North Carolina

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Six weeks after I took the More To Life weekend in 2001, my wife Sharon was diagnosed with cancer. The weekend had given me vital tools and support from the More To Life community, and the times that followed with Sharon were precious – our love was unquestioned and always underpinned by our love.

Sharon died 15 months after her illness was first diagnosed. Her faith was very strong, and she had used her final 2 months to send a powerful and life affirming letter to all her friends. After her death I began the journey of reconnecting with more of my feelings and challenging my fears of inadequacy. Hurt, fear, pain, anger, loss all would arise and now I had the insight to notice, process, accept. I turned her letter into a memorial booklet and I have given away nearly 700 of these so far, and I am still being asked for more copies. It has given relief, comfort and insight to many people. In this way Sharon is still carrying on her work.

How would I be now if I had not taken the weekend? … In my business as a bagpipe maker, and in my personal life, I would have ‘coped’. But with these tools I have been able to move on from my sadness and loss and to value and enjoy Life far more. And be of service to others.

Julian Goodacre
Scotland

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More To Life has been one of the lessons that has impacted on my life and will do so for quite a long time to come.

It has afforded me a family where I can feel at home, knowing that we share so much in common in our different journeys, and everything is new but not strange in life.

I am on my journeys walking through the East Coast. This is for the purpose of peace, and hope for the children and individual freedom for the minority among others. Freedom is one of my paramount purposes, as without self-definition of it one remains unconsciously a slave and a victim to blame. Walking gets people in touch with the reality of the ground, and unites many different individuals and communities, which to me is the beginning of peace.

Across the borders that divide us, people are everywhere, welcoming anyone who has a good intention. Within a short time I can find myself in Egypt … walking from village to village, town to town, and city to city. Though my mind’s fear would take me over, I am happy that I have people among you who offer their moral support and have the time to take a primitive through the material, which I find very effective especially after doing my Mastery course.

Miyere, ole miyandazi
Kenya

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