Authenticity
The best connections happen when we feel safe to show up as our full, authentic selves—and are met with respect, honesty, and acceptance in return. True connection allows us to be seen in our uniqueness and our messiness. But authenticity requires risk, and we need enough safety to share our vulnerabilities. When we’re consistently misunderstood or dismissed, it can leave us feeling closed off and hurt. In contrast, when we feel seen and supported, we can reconnect with who we are—and experience a sense of freedom and alignment.
We are social creatures that are meant to connect with others. Taking risks to explore our vulnerabilities with others means acknowledging that we may get hurt or feel pain in the process and this is scary. It also means that there are possibilities to achieve a deeper understanding of what makes relationships worth taking risk for in the first place. Love, laughter, joy, peace, and humility are just a few of the rewards that can come from relationships.
Courage
Radical Acceptance
It is a bitter sweet fact that change is the only constant. On one hand, we experience the pleasures that comes with living this life and on the other hand, we experience the losses of what once was, what could have or should have been, and what will never be. There is much to grieve in this lifetime. And while anger and sadness are a necessary and painful part of the grieving process, so is the peace that comes with acceptance. By practicing being with what is and being patient in the process, we soften into our own inner wisdom to guide us. This is empowering.
Compassion
It’s natural for our nervous systems to shift between states of activation and rest throughout the day. But when we get stuck in stress or shut down, it can be hard to respond to life in ways that feel grounded and flexible. Therapy can help expand your capacity to tolerate distress, stay present, and respond with greater clarity and ease. Many of the behaviors or beliefs that once protected us—like self-criticism or shame—can start to hold us back. What if your pain isn’t a sign that something is broken, but a call for compassion and understanding? You are already enough. Healing begins when we meet ourselves with empathy instead of judgment.
Curiosity
Remember the wonder of a child asking why the sky is blue—not needing to know, just open to the mystery? Like rivers that twist and change course, we too are shaped by life’s unpredictability. As we grow, that natural curiosity often gives way to fear, anxiety, and a need for control. It’s a protective instinct—especially if we've experienced pain or uncertainty—but one that can keep us stuck, disconnected, and closed off from joy.
While we can’t control the tides of life, we can learn to listen—to our thoughts, emotions, and the sensations in our bodies—with greater compassion. When we respond with curiosity instead of criticism, and empathy instead of blame, life begins to feel more spacious, adaptable, and aligned.
You are not broken. Like the trees that bend with the wind, you already hold the wisdom and strength you need within you.
“Becoming intimate with the queasy feeling of being in the middle of nowhere only makes our hearts more tender. When we are brave enough to stay in the middle, compassion arises spontaneously.By not knowing, not hoping to know, and not acting like we know what’s happening, we begin to access our inner strength. To stay in the middle prepares us to meet the unknown without fear; it prepares us to face both our life & our death. This in-between state, where moment by moment the warrior finds herself learning to let go, is the perfect training ground”. - Pema Chodron
