If someone pretends to be perfect, how on earth can you ever relate to them?

This inability to be vulnerable by being our real, uneven selves creates distance inside us, and between us and others. But we long to be known, not just for our wins or talents or the good we do in the world, not just for how we overcome hardship, but for our pain and struggle while we are suffering, for our failures and shortcomings. We want to b

“Give up the need to be perfect for the opportunity to be authentic. Be who you are. Love who you are. Others will too.”