If we're not open to losing, we're not open to loving.

Underneath the stress is fear, and the biggest is our own personal fear of failure.

Unless we're completely awake, have a degree of that. We tense against love and hold on in a way that doesn't let it flow. When that's really strong, the key piece to freeing our hearts is self-compassion.

Our kids go to school and they come out feeling not intelligent, not desirable, not attractive or appealing to others.

Extend an act of kindness each day. No one has to know. It can be a smile, reassuring words, a small favor - without expecting something in return.

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

But this revolutionary act of treating ourselves tenderly can begin to undo the aversive messages of a lifetime.