I knew I could hold myself with that absolute love and compassion.

With mindfulness training we are able to recognize when we get lost in our mental dramas, and bring a kind and nonreactive presence to the feelings that accompany them.

Most of us grew up with a very damaging story that something is wrong with us. Gradually - or as in my case, suddenly - we become resolved not to believe this anymore. It takes a dedicated practice to follow up on that resolution, because the conditioning is very strong to keep generating self-demeaning stories.

If there's a demand of being together in a certain way, those expectations and judgements take away from that space and create an edginess and a cramped-ness to the relationship.

Just remember that everyone is struggling; everyone is living with fear and uncertainty and it doesn't matter what their politics are.

This longing to express and celebrate life is innate and quite beautiful.

There are some things we can't choose, but in being present we can choose how we want to relate to them