I was sexually abused by my step father for years and years, and that caused scars you can't see. And we know many people have the kind of scars you can't see.

You can't have real and authentic friendships unless you honor your feelings.

I spent so much of my life shut down from the abuse of my childhood. I didn't have friends and I didn't have connections with people.

Because I am a one-legged, black, short, woman I had to spend every day of my life pushing against what society told me I should be. I had to sell my value every day of my life. Confidence is what enables us to push back on reality. Once you get good at that, you can use it to live your joy.

Friends are people who are in your life because you feel good around them and you like them. Friends are the people you choose to be with.

We don't always get everything. And sometimes we worry too much about our circumstances. We think oh I'll be happy when I get my job back, or I'll be happy when I get a man back, but it's really about allowing God to give us joy now.

I do a lot of to-dos and a lot of lists. I realized I had to make room for joy. So I added "to feel" items on my to-do list. That's something you can easily do.