COURAGE MONTH: DAY 11: “We need people in our lives with whom we can be as open as possible. To have real conversations with people may seem like such a simple, obvious suggestion, but it involves courage and risk.”― Thomas Moore
I am always surprised that people tell me things they do not or have not talked about before. This is even those who are in long-time recovery sometimes. I know that I am very out front with my “stuff”, so they may feel safe with telling me these things.
I would love to say that I am not judgmental, but I am sometimes. It is just another part of my human-ness, but not a great part. The truth is that I really want to free them from their secrets by letting them know it doesn’t matter what others think.
I don’t know about this quote. We think it takes great courage and risk to tell others our truths, but there is so much that is subjective about this statement.
First of all, if we believe that, then we think our “stuff” is of value. I disagree. It is all just another story. I think it is more empowering to understand that story is just stuff we make up anyway. It is the viewpoint we were in on any given day and is always, always, always in need of new perspective. So why would it be risky to let go of the story and learn more about a wider and higher perspective. I guess the danger is that we might grow. (?)
So what about courage? Do we really need that? No. We can tell that story all day long too. But it ain’t real. The only reason we think it is risky and we have to be courageous is if we are afraid of being judged by the person to whom we are telling it. If they are going to run away TODAY because of what we let them in on, they will run away eventually anyway. So, what is the courage all about? And what is the risk? I don’t see it.
These are more stories we tell to hide ourselves behind. Quite frankly, once we let go of all this shit, the better off we are. Free!!! Truly and righteously free. Isn’t that what we come here for?
Dolphin Hug 