Although kindness and self-acceptance allow us to be our imperfect selves, the desire to alleviate suffering at the heart of this mindset isn't always gentle: sometimes it's fierce. We must act courageously to protect ourselves from harm and injustice, say no to others to meet our own needs, and motivate change. Gender socialization often demands that we act according to the roles assigned us by society and culture. But like yin and yang, the energies of fierce and tender self-compassion must be balanced for wholeness and well-being.

Kristin Neff explains how we can use fierce and tender self-compassion to succeed in the workplace, to engage in caregiving without burning out, to be authentic with or without a romantic relationship, and to end the silence around sexual harassment and abuse. We must develop fierceness inside us to create a healthier society, find lasting happiness, and achieve balance within ourselves to help restore balance in the world.

Fierce Self-Compassion: How to Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Your Power, and Thrive, Kristin Neff, Harper Perennial, Paperback, 384 Pages, $19.99

Kristin Neff is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research and is an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She has written numerous academic articles and is the author of Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. In conjunction with her colleague Dr. Chris Germer, she developed Mindful Self-Compassion, a training program taught by thousands of teachers worldwide, and coauthored the Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout, and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals.