Repost: The Way We Are

Can we really know a person – for real? I mean, is it possible to really know a person? Or are we the only people who know ourselves (or, do we even know ourselves like we think we do)? The latter is beside the point, so let’s not digress.

If only we know the reality about the people we care about, if only the cloak of mystery that surrounds every human being will be removed, I guess it would be easier to deal with people. There’s no need to pre-judge a person… no need to act so cautiously thinking that we might be doing the wrong thing and the person might react negatively to what we do (no matter how innocent or sincere our intention)… no need to second guess, wonder, and suffer trying to decipher the mind of a person just so we’ll know how to react the right way to that person.

Why do we really need to put on masks? I guess because we’re afraid of the world. Because of our need to conform. Because of the fear that the world will not like what they see when we reveal ourselves.

But, recent events have showed me just how unhealthy this part of human nature is. Because of the masks that people around us wear, we are unable to relate to them in the best way we can. And because of the masks that we ourselves wear, we deprive ourselves of the chance to be really seen, and to be liked the way we are. And this makes everything complicated.

Yes, we become vulnerable by revealing ourselves – whether it’s to the people we deal with everyday or, yes, to that person we care about so much. We might get hurt. Our dignity and pride might be trampled.

But, what about the rewards? What about the possibility of being liked and loved just the way we are? What about the possibility that the person we care about so much will reciprocate the feelings that we have? These are only possibilities, but don’t they hold promise?

Be Someone Who You’re Not…

Every once in a while.

Surprise yourself. Do things you wouldn’t normally do. Put on different shoes.

And then discover new things outside of yourself. You don’t get any guarantee that you will like what you will see, that you will love that new self. Sometimes you will, and sometimes you won't.

Sometimes you will, and you'll be happy knowing your world just got bigger.

Sometimes you won't. But, at the end of it all, you bring with you the confidence knowing that you can, and you did.

We Gotta Take That One Step That Will Start The Miracles We've All Been Waiting To Happen.

Fear is a crippling emotion. It keeps us from doing what we need to do. It paralyzes us and narrows our vision. It blocks out all possibilities and imprisons us in a world of negativity. Fear can keep us from reaching our dreams.

For many years I was battling with fear. For many years, I allowed fear to take over when it comes to reaching my biggest dream, a dream that bloomed when I was still in my university days. A dream whose fire continued to burn even after many years of distraction and straying.

For the past years, every time the year begins, I would include that dream in my list of things to accomplish for the year. But, as the date would near, I would be fearful and would be filled with all sorts of doubt and hesitations - feeling that I'm not ready, that I still have a lot to learn, that I might not succeed. And then I would come up with a perfect excuse to postpone the plan and to put the dream back to sleep. Until four years later, I have not done anything yet.

Today is the fourth year, and I intend to do something this time. They say we must run towards our fear, and that's just what I intend to do. I'll run towards my fear! The appointed date is not  yet too soon, but a while ago I took the first step. It was a simple call, a simple inquiry, but after I did it I felt great. I felt that today is the beginning of many great things yet to come.

For many of us, all we need is that first irreversible step to make all our dreams come true. I did it! And I claim victory in God's name! My dream will be fulfilled!

We Need Courage To Make Things Happen.

Some fears and negative emotions are hard to let go, and our preconceived notion of people can be difficult to change. But, if we allow our fears and hesitations to reign, we'll end up paralyzed in our spot.

I mentioned in one of my previous posts that I've resolved to love more this year, but I've discovered that loving comes with many other requirements. It requires opening up more, reaching out more, getting out of our comfort zone, and many other similar things. Because loving isn't only about feeling. More important than ever, it's about taking action.

I've always had a struggle with some of the requirements I mentioned above because of  emotions like fear and doubt, and I found out that having the will and conviction to love more isn't always enough to really succeed. Added to these, I also need to muster a lot of courage and boldness, and to think less of myself, if I am to really love more.

Opening up and reaching out takes boldness, dealing with people takes courage, and preparing to deal with new things takes braveness. These are a must in all endeavors, and they're especially important if we are to love more.

I know I still have a lot to learn when it comes to this. And I still need a lot of courage to overcome many of my fears. With courage, I can make things happen.