I am afraid. I am afraid to share my inner feelings, to allow myself to be truly authentic, to speak my truth. I am afraid to be vulnerable.

What if…

I lose you?

You do not accept the real me?

I have to grieve?

It is our fear that keeps us at a distance from others—and from ourselves. It is fear that causes us to build walls. But our inner sentries do not protect our most sacred self. Instead, they protect the terrified ego—the belief that by controlling a situation or people through manipulation,...