Do you ever assume that people know what you're thinking, feeling, or wanting? But they don't. Only you have access to your private room of thoughts and feelings.

It's brave to open the door and say, "This is who I am." But if you don't, how will people have the chance to know, understand, and love you for who you really are?

Inside of you, there is a private room where your thoughts and feelings reside. In that room, there is a constant flow of inner experiences that fundamentally shape who you are as a person, the choices that you make, and the values that matter most to you.

No one can enter that room without your permission.

Because you are so intricately and inextricably connected to the room, it can be easy to assume that other people have access to it, too. It’s easy to assume that other people know what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling, and what you want. But they don’t — you have to let them in if you want them to understand.

It takes a great deal of bravery to open the door and say, “This is who I am.” But if you don’t let them in, how will they have the chance to know, understand, and love you for who you really are?