“I NEVER said that I wanted to know THIS much about you!!”
I admit it. I’ve expressed this out of earshot to people at work, at the grocery store, and in traffic when they do something I deem idiotic.
But I’ve expressed similar sentiments directly to those who I love and to myself.
Ouch!
Ready or not we will all have plenty of opportunities to know each other. Sister change is exposing each and everyone one of us as she quickly shifts things that have become our protective covering. Oh my. Just look at us!
Think about how changes in your and others’ relationships, jobs, mortgages, cars, health, and technology, not to mention shifts in the earth herself are adjusting our relationship to each other. It can feel excruciatingly naked and vulnerable, but barriers are collapsing and exposing our self and others in the process. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, we’re living in a time that is demanding our alignment. That which needs to be hidden or is out of balance isn’t sustainable.
Reconnecting to both our true nature and common humanity is the great opportunity within this shift toward greater openness and transparency. Yes indeed, we really are all in this life together.
How are you dealing with this new transparency and vulnerability?
Truthfully, even as I whine about not wanting to see your messy and imperfect side, I do want to know you. And while I may pretend that I only want you to see my good side, keeping up any facade is becoming an obtrusive pain in my arse. I’d rather create than hide, so go ahead, see all my complexities.
Why? Because seeing and being seen is always healing.
The other night my 93 year old mom gave me the finest of compliments. We were having a deep conversation about her life while playing a hand of Canasta, she turned to me and said “thanks for being able to handle the truth”. She thanked me for letting her share the truth of who she is, outside of the woman everyone wants her to be.
I am blessed to know the defining and complicated stories of her life. I’m not sure how I ended up with all this information other than by having my own messy life, being willing to ask questions and hear what she wants to share. Oh, and I do my damnedest to let her be herself and be myself in the process. We are each just fine and our messy lives are rich and beautiful.
Dear friends, since change will continue to expose and bring us together, let’s start living like we have nothing to hide.
Does this bring you relief or do you want to run to secure one last little thing in its place? Putting your life in order will become increasingly impossible. Instead direct your attention toward creating a welcoming atmosphere for yourself and others.
Enjoying the exposed life is simple, really.
- Love yourself fully just the way that you are now. Keep coming back to loving yourself again and again and again. Love yourself even when it feels like the most ridiculous thing to do. Come back and love yourself EVEN more!
- Be curious and open. Start each morning wondering how you will share more of you with the world and how others will share them self to you.
- Live as if you have nothing to hide. Understand that others are doing the same (whether they realize it or not!)
- Laugh, love, and enjoy the awkward, rich and vulnerable beauty embedded in our humanity. We’re ok and will continue to be so.
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