Vulnerability is not about fear and grief and disappointment; it is the birthplace of everything we're hungry for.

Don't try to win over the haters; you are not a jackass whisperer.

We're a nation hungry for more joy: Because we're starving from a lack of gratitude.

I define vulnerability as uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure. With that definition in mind, let’s think about love. Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can’t ensure, who may stay in our lives or may leave without a moment’s notice, who may be loyal to the day they die or betray us tomorrow—that’s vulnerability.

Our stories are not meant for everyone. Hearing them is a privilege, and we should always ask ourselves this before we share: "Who has earned the right to hear my story?" If we have one or two people in our lives who can sit with us and hold space for our shame stories, and love us for our strengths and struggles, we are incredibly lucky. If we have a friend, or small group of friends, or family who embraces our imperfections, vulnerabilities, and power, and fills us with a sense of belonging, we are incredibly lucky.

When you numb your pain you also numb your joy.

The one thing that keeps us out of connection is our fear that we're not worthy of connection.