Vulnerability is not about winning, and it's not about losing. It's about having the courage to show up and be seen.

In many ways, September feels like the busiest time of the year: The kids go back to school, work piles up after the summer's dog days, and Thanksgiving is suddenly upon us.

We cannot grow when we are in shame, and we can't use shame to change ourselves or others.

Nostalgia is also a dangerous form of comparison. Think about how often we compare our lives to a memory that nostalgia has so completely edited that it never really existed.

Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.

Shame: We all have it. It's that gremlin that says 'I'm not enough.' Or, if you're feeling pretty confident,...'ooh, who do you think you are?' Shame always has a seat.

I now see how gifts like courage, compassion, and connection only work when they are exercised. Every day.