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Follow-up Interview with Peter

The following is a verbatim transcript of an interview with Peter two weeks later, the day after Valentine’s Day.

So it’s been a couple of weeks, Peter, since we did the thing on being lovable—or loved, as it came out to be, and I wondered if you had noticed any changes—and especially you had mentioned something I believe that you had kind of kept asking your wife if she loved you and stuff like that, or if she’s noticed anything.

Peter: I’m not sure if she’s aware of what’s changed. I’m certainly aware of it, in that I feel a lot more independent. It’s like—exactly that—I don’t need that constant feedback. And the thing that was kind of interesting was—of course Valentine’s Day is a great time for this. And yesterday I got some really great Valentine’s gifts, a lot of them in a row, that really showed me clearly how much she does care about me. And that, in itself, was a difference, in that I really noticed. I mean like, it had an impact. Whereas before I’d sort of take this stuff and “Ahhh, well,” (Peter gestures with his left hand, as if casually throwing it away over his left shoulder) and it would sort of flow over my head (gesturing over his head).

That’s a nice gesture. (laughter) (imitating) “Do you love me?” “Yes.” (copying Peter’s gesture) (laughter)

Peter: (smiling and nodding) It’s not possible. Whsst. (Peter repeats the gesture) So now, I was really noticing all the extent and—

You could really savor it, and experience it, rather than just discard it. (Peter nods.) Great.

Peter: Yes. That was really nice. The other thing that came up, I did a presentation to a group of people yesterday that I think are probably not particularly open to the kind of thing that I had to say. And I was amazed at how well it went over, the positive response that I got back from them. It was a really positive feeling, and again, I’m not quite sure how that ties in, but I’ve got a sense that that’s involved. Like there’s something very different about what I’m putting out in situations, or what I’m allowing to come back in.

Perhaps both.

Peter: Yeah. So I’ve been great. I’m—I’m feeling it.