Disenfranchised grief (grief that isn't socially recognized or validated) is one of the most isolating experiences there is. It's the grief that says, I don't know if I'm allowed to be this sad. It's the grief that apologizes for itself. It keeps people from accessing the support they need, from telling the story of who they lost, from being witnessed in their loss.

A punch thrown without balance injures the striker. A blade swung without discipline cuts the wielder. Power without alignment tends to backfire, which is worse than a simple failure.

The same is true in life.

You can’t fix what you won’t face. Denial might keep your ego alive, but it won’t down the boss. Radical honesty is the ultimate mechanic for unlocking the next level of your life.