“Surviving this crisis will take a shift in mindset, and that’s tougher than we think – especially when we’re afraid. ⁣”

Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.

During a time of deep uncertainty and anxiety – when many of us have struggled to be our best selves all of the time – apologizing has never been more important.⁣

When we screw up or fall down, many of us talk to ourselves in ways that we would never talk to someone we love and respect.

What we don’t need in the midst of struggle is shame for being human.

Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.

Shame, blame, disrespect, betrayal, and the withholding of affection damage the roots from which love grows. Love can only survive these injuries if they are acknowledged, healed and rare.

Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect.

What we know matters but who we are matters more.

What we know matters but who we are matters more.

Courage is listening, learning, unlearning, knowing when to lead, and knowing when to let others lead.⁣

Courage is listening, learning, unlearning, knowing when to lead, and knowing when to let others lead.⁣

If you trade your authenticity for safety, you may experience the following: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, rage, blame, resentment, and inexplicable grief.

Hope is a function of struggle.

Vulnerability is not about winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up even when you can’t control the outcome.

Feeling and owning our own shit instead of working it out on others is key.

Nothing has transformed my life more than realizing that it’s a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the reaction of the people in the stands.

Don’t be afraid to smoke the competition, because you are the only competition.

The parts of me you are afraid of, are the parts that are ready to be loved by you.

I was afraid of breaking your heart. when in reality all these years later whenever I see you, I break my own.

He says he doesn’t know what to do my mind screams back I will not love you in halves just because you are too afraid.

Don’t be afraid to bloom even in the darkest of times, just like moonflower blooms in the depths of the night.

Why are we told to be afraid to hurt? Why do we avoid, run and hide? Cover up inside with shields of armor, Our shins, and elbows made of pads of plastic; We are not made of glass and tattered bits, It’s not weakness when our strength builds us to last.

I’m afraid someday my words will run out so I spend every waking moment trying to capture the human experience in purple prose.

I’m not afraid of the chance at loving you, I’m only afraid of what it could do to me.