You cannot sustainably give to others if your own cup is empty. The full idea is: better me, so that better you, and then better us.

The Champagne Glass Rule
At a wedding, you pour from the top and let it overflow down. Start at the bottom and there's nothing left for anyone. Fill yourself first so the overflow reaches everyone else.

What the Research Says
Harvard studies show that unfulfilled adults create troubled children. When your cup is empty, your patience disappears and your frustration lands on the wrong people. When adults thrive, children thrive.

The Pity Party Rule
When something bad happens, don't stuff it down and let it fester. Have your pity party fast and big. Burn it off quickly — not on the internet, but with people you trust who won't go easy on you.

The Only Way Out Is Through
Once you've gone through something completely and exposed it fully, it loses its power over you. It still hurts. But the practice of going through it — rather than around it — is what builds real strength.

That tiny 1% belief, even when everything says stop, is what keeps you moving.