Vulnerability

Why are we afraid of being vulnerable?

       Society has such negative connotations with the word vulnerability these days, but it's not warranted. If we allow ourselves to become vulnerable we allow those around us to see us for what we really are, broken. Every last one of us. When it gets down to it, each and every person has scars that will stain our skin for eternity. But when we allow ourselves to become vulnerable, our light shines through the cuts left on our surface and onto the people we're in relationship with. For the first time they truly will be able to see you, and know you, and understand what has led you to become the person you are today. They will understand your trials and tears, and cry with you. Then they will understand your successes and triumphs, and rejoice with you. We must allow ourselves to be vulnerable in order to grow in ourselves and in others. Quit trying to hide your light. Go out and be vulnerable allowing others to see your greatest gifts and love you for who you are, not who you think you should be. 

Living

"You don't have to be told you're dying to start living."

       The people who have the most to live for are often the ones who have the least amount of time, for they have come to terms with death and have seen what it is they want from life. As we come to see the end in sight, we realize what we desire and that it can be accomplished no matter what anyone says. We go through our lives being told "you're not good enough" or "you can't," but when it gets down to it and we see the end, we realize none of that is true. Once we throw the negative noise out of our head, we start to see all of the opportunities that are in front of us come to light, for opportunities multiply as they are seized. But no one should have to find out they are dying to start living, that must change. If you wait until that moment when you find out death is imminent, you will live your life with constant fear, and by the time you come to terms with it, it will have already consumed you. We must see that we are all constantly crawling our way toward the end and there is no escaping that fact. The sooner we can face that, the sooner we can cast out our fear and truly begin to live free, for on the other side of fear there is freedom, and fear is surely a choice. There's a story of a man who will go to the end of the earth for the woman he loves, it goes like this:

       He scales the mountain, because he's not afraid of it. He slays the dragon, because he's not afraid of it. He walks through hellfire, because she was worth it.

       This man has seen death for what it really is, unavoidable, and grasped that fully. He has made the realization for what it is in his life that he cannot let slip away, and he will do everything in his power to gain it. Now we must do the same, what are the mountains, dragons, and hellfire in your life that are stopping you from getting to her? But most importantly, you must first identify her.

The Ripple Effect

If you could go back in time and change something knowing it would change everything else, would you?

       Sometimes I wonder what would have been, had it all been different. Creating a completely altered reality, and leaving this one behind. You might still be here, had I done just one thing different. I kick myself everyday, hating the fact that I could have changed that track. But should I? What could have been? If it's all in His timing, just let me see the that bigger picture. Because while I know there's a plan and that big guiding hand, sometimes, I want to be the hand, and make that plan mine. At least I think. If I had that opportunity presented to me at this very moment, I can't say I would take it. As bad as I want you here, I still want Him to steer. If I took control, everything would change, people, places, lives, and journeys, like a pebble as it leaves ripples across a pond. We would have you back, but what would we have lost? Even when everything else fades, the memories will remain, never to be taken away. Over these past two years you have taught me more than in the two we had together. While here you showed me how to live everyday like it was your last, but now that you're there, I can see what had been showing me; always pouring yourself into each moment with no promise of tomorrow. You never strived to make your presence noticed, but you sure have made your absence felt. Through this all, I still cannot help but wonder, where would your ripples have led?

Fear

"What is your deepest fear, young man?"

       People commonly ask, "What are you afraid of?" The answer tells a lot about an individual: about their outlook on life, about their trials. For just one second you can see a glimpse of their world as you stare into their eyes and they flash back to a memory. A different time, and a different place that holds one of those memories you can tell they're glad is now just a memory, and no longer is it a current situation. Because each fear tells a story, each fear tells a hurt. Behind every scar is a story left untold, and a scab left in its wake. But we're looking at the equation in the wrong order, and this notion needs to be altered. It was once said that:

       Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

       If that is the case, why is the natural response to a fear about a time when we were inadequate? Our perception needs to change, for everything that has passed, is passed; it has no hold on our present, and more importantly, our future. Instead of thinking about the scars behind you, think of them as something that has better prepared you for what lies ahead. Think about a time in the future where because of the scabs you have formed, you will be powerful beyond measure.