I'd rather live with a tender heart, because that is the key to feeling the beat of all of the other hearts.

Jenny Slate

When actress, comedian, and author Jenny Slate sat down to write her essay book "Little Weirds," she leaned away from the comedic tones she’s known for on screen and focused instead on family and relationships. The book was published in 2019 and became a phenomenon for lines like this one, that stress the importance of community in finding oneself. A tender heart is the key to unlocking empathy, and only when we are vulnerable and open to the wishes of others can we find a sense of purpose, belonging, and solidarity in society.