In a recent conversation with a friend, I recalled the phrase related to generosity and self-care: “You can’t pour from an empty vessel.”

My friend brilliantly pointed out the other side of this metaphor: you can’t pour into a vessel that’s full.

How true. A completely full vessel leaves no room for curiosity, vulnerability, open-mindedness, growth, and learning.

It’s subtle, but there’s an important balance between being filled … and not being full.