We waste so much energy trying to cover up who we are when beneath every attitude is the want to be loved, and beneath every anger is a wound to be healed and beneath every sadness is the fear that there will not be enough time.
When we hesitate in being direct, we unknowingly slip something on, some added layer of protection that keeps us from feeling the world, and often that thin covering is the beginning of a loneliness which, if not put down, diminishes our chances of joy.
It’s like wearing gloves every time we touch something, and then, forgetting we chose to put them on, we complain that nothing feels quite real. Our challenge each day is not to get dressed to face the world but to unglove ourselves so that the doorknob feels cold and the car handle feels wet and the kiss goodbye feels like the lips of another being, soft and unrepeatable.
-Mark Nepo
Image: “Flores en patio cordobes – Flowers in Cordoba courtyard” by Centurion via Flickr
Love!!
Glad you liked it, Ker.
What a beautiful message and a beautiful photo.
Great quote. I just put two of Brene Brown’s books on hold at the library. Time to take off the gloves 🙂
Yes, Brene Brown’s books are great. If you have a chance, listen to her TED talks. They distill so many of the issues we face with real clarity.
Lovely!