I compare this country to a dysfunctional family. You love them, but they're far from perfect. Even the families that look pristine on the outside have issues under the hood. Right now, loving this country feels complicated. At times, it even feels counterintuitive to the way I try to live my life—with compassion, kindness, and an open heart. Our history is beautifully imperfect, but freedom has always been the ideal that has that has drawn us forward.

What a scary experience I had this week. I gave a two-minute talk at an eWomenNetwork chapter event…just two minutes. That’s it. And somehow, those two minutes felt more intimidating than any workshop I’ve ever led. The interesting part? I won that speaking opportunity the month before—and from the moment I found out, I went straight into freak-out mode. For an entire month. I even attended a two-day speaking workshop (Speakonomics) just to feel more prepared. I practiced.

When the chaos of daily life feels overwhelming, this thought is an earthly perspective that brings me back to center and helps me let go.