When I was in my early forties, I slept with a loaded gun under my bed. Id become severely depressed in my thirties, and for almost a decade I spiraled down into paranoia, rage, self-loathing, and thoughts of suicide.

If someone says, "Katie, you are out of order," over something I've said, or, "Katie, you are wrong," if I defend myself or justify myself, then I have just started the war.

No one can give you freedom but you.

That's what every uncomfortable feeling is for-that's what pain is for, what money is for, what everything in the world is for: your self-realization.

When you believe that your problem is caused by someone or something else, you become your own victim.

It's good that it hurts. Pain is the signal that you're confused, that you're in a lie.

Rather than understand the original cause-a thought-we try to change the stressful feelings by looking outside ourselves.