"It's nothing to be ashamed of."

My patient told me he was too embarrassed to tell his other doctor.

Too mortified to spit it out.

"I get that it's embarrassing."

"You're human -- we're all embarrassed all the time."

"Vulnerability is brave."

"There's no place for shame or blame here."

I had a plan.

And it started to make sense in a "love over fear" sort of way.

No fear.

No distractions.

Only love.

Shame is different for everyone.

In every circumstance.

"Tell me about your dreams."

"I want to be strong enough to raise my baby."

"Tell me about your future."

"The three of us are taking a long walk on the beach."

Celebrating.

His vision.

His humanness.

There's nothing to be ashamed of.

There's only communicating.

"I want to know you."

"I want to understand the things that you're going through."

Let courageous connection be your top priority.

Because courageous connection eats shame for breakfast.

It was nothing to be ashamed of.

Nothing truly is.