Maybe villains are more like us than we think. Maybe if we felt loved and accepted, we, like the Grinch, would all be our “real selves,” and our masks would fall to the floor like crunchy leaves from an autumn tree.

Our friends advertise the kaleidoscope of ways we can live. They expose us to new ways of being in the world, showing us another life is possible. As

Then, take initiative by inviting your favorite person in the group to get smoothies.

Kids with moms who had higher levels of oxytocin exhibited higher levels of oxytocin and better friendships.

Our thoughts often hurt us more than our bullies do.

The secret to authenticity, then, is security.

the spark is real. So trust yourself when you meet someone who feels familiar or comfortable, when there’s chemistry, when you sense you might be experiencing a kindred spirit. Following up with these promising seeds of connection will lift your chances of finding the deep friendships you are looking for.

lot of what we assume others think about us is a projection of how we think about us.

covert avoidance looks like showing up physically but checking out mentally. It is getting to the event but failing to engage with others, not making eye contact, talking really fast, messing with your phone, petting the dog, playing thumb war with the dog, and winning unjustly because the poor creature has no opposable thumbs. Initiative requires