Recently, Dr. Robin was honored by her alma mater, Palmer Theological Seminary, by being asked to deliver the commencement speech. While Dr. Robin says she was excited and flattered to address the graduates, she did not feel as upbeat and pulled together as she may have looked. She says personal issues were invading her thoughts—so before she gave her speech, she says she took off her mask and told the crowd that she was going through a rough patch in life. "What makes someone powerful, impactful and able to really help another human being is to admit their own wounds, admit their own struggles," Dr. Robin says.

Dr. Robin says she left her mask at the door and gave the speech feeling comfortable with her genuine approach. "Give yourself the gift that no one else can give you," she says. "Take your mask off, put it down and decide that you are going to look in the mirror and get an accurate, clear vision of yourself."

The next time someone asks you how you are, Dr. Robin says to tell them the truth. If you are feeling down or upset—say so. "You have to take your mask off, [take off] that plastic smile that has been hiding all of your pain and suffering," she says.