Intimacy and Conflict Require the Same Bravery

This was originally published September 27, 2021

Sometimes I feel myself turning away from intimacy- wincing when I feel seen, understood, loved, cared for.

In those moments, when I have the clarity to do so- I try to take a breath, and soften into the moment, to allow a moment of grounded connection with the other person.

It is the same grounding breath I take when I notice I am afraid to say or do something challenging- to risk conflict or hurt feelings in order to honor myself.

The power I muster to confront the hard things in relationships is the same power I muster to embrace the wonderful things.