Hi family secrets family. This is just a note of thanks as we head into what is for

many of us a time of year filled with contradictions love joy gratitude grief rage confusion some

or all of these might pay a visit. If we're spending time with family that can be beautiful

and also challenging. If we're not spending time with family that can bring up other kinds

of complexity for many of us our friends are our chosen family others are contending with

ailing parents illness divorce but wherever we find ourselves here are a few things I'm pretty sure

about and these are lessons I've learned from a lifetime of grappling with secrets of being the

secret of writing about secrets and creating a podcast about secrets. One there is nothing quite

so powerful as being true to ourselves. Two if we're true to ourselves eventually we find ourselves

surrounded by people who treat us with kindness. Three kindness wins every single time.

Four as a wise woman recently told me go where it's warm she wasn't talking about the weather

go where it's warm. Five locate your gut and trust it I have never been led astray when I have

followed my instincts. Six you have to get quiet in order to feel and know what's right.

Seven there are many different kinds of secrets but perhaps the most insidious are the secrets we

keep from ourselves. As I head off for the holiday myself I just want to say that one of the great

gifts in my life is having created this podcast and formed this extraordinary community when I say

family secrets family I mean it. While I was on book tour for signal fires I met many of you on

the road you came up to me and told me your stories we laughed and we cried we connected and that

connection that feeling that we are none of us alone if only we allow ourselves to be seen.

That is everything. I love you stay safe and be well and remember go where it's warm.