We are often raised to look at things as black or white, meaning we can put a clear and comfortable label on what we do, who we love, and how we live. But what if your love - or anything you do - isn't black or white, but shades of gray (no, not that shades of gray, just somewhere in the middle of black of white)? In this episode, we're sharing more of our coming out journey and how challenging it was to define our relationship to our loved ones when we finally accepted that our love was meant to be. Plus, how to live your life with radical acceptance of yourself and others.

Resources mentioned:

• We Can Do Hard Things: "Why Elizabeth Gilbert Disappeared & What She Came Back to Say"
• Listen to our episode "Should We Get Married?"

Some key takeaways on accepting people living in shades of gray:

• Sometimes there simply aren't words to explain how you feel or the nature of your relationship with somebody else. If your love makes someone else uncomfortable because it challenges their black or white thinking, that's not on you!
• Be confident that if you're taking steps forward toward an authentic, safe, and loving relationship, no one else can touch you. If you accept yourself, whether or not other people accept you won't matter (it might still be painful as hell though, and that's okay!).
• We don't have to agree with everything someone does, but we should accept them no matter what. If you can have respectful communication with someone, you can absolutely accept them just as they are.

Be Powerful with Liz & Lee, formerly Hilliard Studio Podcast, is focused on helping you find your inner power and for us to share our thoughts on society, culture, and current events. As the team behind Hilliard Studio Method in Charlotte, North Carolina, we love all things wellness and will also share info on how to live your healthiest life mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Liz Hilliard is an author, motivational speaker, personal & group trainer, podcast co-host and owner & creator of Hilliard Studio Method (HSM) – an internationally-renowned, core-centric, Pilates-based workout that uses the latest techniques to get the heart rate pumping and sweat dripping – uses "Be Powerful" as a daily mantra to empower and encourage women of all generations and fitness levels to accept themselves as they are and keep moving.

Lee Kennelly is the second half of the podcast and the Director of Training at Hilliard Studio Method. She is happy to be living life unabashedly with Liz and adores her teenage children who have probably never listened to the podcast! Lee is passionate about movement and teaching and loves being on the sports fields watching her children, making her line of Love Sauce salads, or going out to dinner for date night with Liz. While behind the mic and on the screen aren't necessarily her comfort zone, she loves podcasting with Liz and has enjoyed the opportunity to share her story with the hope of inspiring others to live more joyfully.

Podcast contact info:

• Liz's Instagram
• Lee's Instagram
• Hilliard Studio Method
• HSM Facebook
• Liz & Lee's YouTube