Well, first off, I’m all for navel-gazing, but only if you lift your head afterwards. Being a winner in this field, it’s hard to give advice, without feeling like an ass hole. For what it’s worth, your friend at burning man is right, I won, i.e. met Noreen, when I was at ease with me, 100% OK with who I was. Then it was easy. Before that, it was awkward, or worse, I didn’t even want to talk to women. When I had come to a pinnacle of satisfaction and self appreciation(not arrogance), I was open to many other things, career, fun, friends, and yes my future wife. Obviously, hindsight is 20/20 but just wanted to throw that out there. I’ve defintitely made good, and I think that being cool with me is where it all started.