Cowards

I won't rant. I promise, I won't. But tell me, someone, please, why are some people such cowardly lions? Why?

And what I mean by this, is why do they shy away from true connection with other human beings? What is there to fear? Why do they suspect and remain cynical? Why do they push others away who feel that there is something to share...? Why when you do share something, something of yourself, something real or true, do some people ignore you, push you away, refuse to just be gracious, if nothing else...

Why is it that human beings cannot behave like human beings? Why must they burrow into their own little worlds of illusion and comfort, barracading themselves against new experience, new life, hope, and ultimately love?

I don't mean romantic love, but love in action. True connection and communion with others.

I have been guilty of this myself. And I guess the answer for me, was, is, that it is out of fear and insecurity. But what good have those things ever done me or anyone else? Oh yes, I've been protected. My defenses come up and I've pushed people away. But the times I've been able to be open, have allowed me to be open more and more, despite whatever crap some people dish out to me, I refuse to let them change who I am. I have been afraid and still allowed myself to be vulnerable. I've been rejected and still allow myself to be open.

Marianne Williamson said this:

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. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. 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. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is 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.

I think those first three lines get at the heart of what I am talking about here. I don't think she means to be arrogant or pompous in anyway. What she means is that we are afraid, feel undeserving of the best in life, of being bright, of being who we really are, and consequently, we shut ourselves off from others. Which shuts us off from communion and community with others.

Anyway. I guess I did rant after all...

Peace.