I'm still a researcher. The best way to explain it is that I trusted myself deeply as a professional, but I did not have a lot of self-trust personally. When I started learning all of these things about the value and the importance of belonging, vulnerability, connection, self-kindness and self-compassion, I trusted what I was learning - again, I know I'm a good researcher. When those things and wholeheartedness started to emerge with all these different properties, I knew I had to listen. I'd heard these messages before personally but I didn't trust myself there.

When we're defined by what people think we lose the courage to be vulnerable.

Don't do anything that you're already not great at doing.

Talk about your failures without apologizing.

Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness.

When we deny our stories, They define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending.

It's hard to practice compassion when we're struggling with our authenticity or when our own worthiness is off-balance.