many of us have a defended front shielding a weak spine.12 In other words, we walk around brittle and defensive, trying to conceal our lack of confidence. If we strengthen our backs, metaphorically speaking, and develop a spine that’s flexible but sturdy, then we can risk having a front that’s soft and open …. How can we give and accept care with strong-back, soft-front compassion, moving past fear into a place of genuine tenderness?
