More than anything, we long to be seen.
To be held in a safe, non-judgemental, all-accepting presence, and be seen through loving eyes.
And being seen is what we fear the most.
More than death, we fear intimacy’s piercing gaze.
And yearn for it all the same.
It takes such courage to show yourself!
To take off your mask, when you look and feel your worst to take off your mask (the one that was suffocating you anyway) and to say, “Look. Look. Here I am, world”.
To let yourself be seen
before you’re ready.
When you feel the most rotten, the most dirty, the most wretched and unloveable, the most unevolved, the most boring, the most confused and lonely and broken and sad and angry and hurt, to let yourself be seen there.
There, in that sore, shameful place.
Let light in.
Come out of hiding and invite someone into your ‘private’ world.
Let them witness the real, authentic you.
Before that pitiful defence called ‘personality’.
Say, “Look. Look, friend. Here I am”.
Take the risk of being loved!
Take the risk of being loved!The risk of being rejected, yes.
The risk of being shamed again, laughed at again, ridiculed again, maybe.
The risk of being seen as a failure. As sick, or broken, or ugly, or weak.
But the risk of being loved?
Yes. Take the risk today because life is short, and it’s exhausting trying to repress your authentic self. Let yourself be witnessed in the raw. The vulnerable you. The you without protection, without answers, without expertise. The imperfect you.
Because the deepest shame is only healed in love’s light.
And your flaws were always longing to be touched with an awareness so tender that it would birth entire universes to find itself.
And you can fall now into the arms of a loving friend.
Who will hold you.
Naked. Unprotected. Imperfect.
Loveable.
Just as you are.
This is the kind of love you deserve.
True human love which is also God’s love.
The kind of love that bathes you in gentleness when you feel the most ashamed, the most frightened, the most lost.
When you feel the smallest.
A huge love that holds you.
Never settle for less.
Jeff’s ’teaching’ is beautiful as always. Thanks!!
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Reading this article made me feel as if I was talking to a therapist, especially considering I just came from a damaged relationship of giving always and never receiving as a human being. It’s uplifting indeed to hear the truth.
I believe that we cover ourselves with masks from the fear of being judged. We give chance to people we want to welcome into our lives but when they reject us after enjoying all the taste they leave! As if they are full..
And it is then difficult to trust someone else with that. Asking risks IS a lot of courage.
A kind of love that will embrace you fully!
this is not to look for pity or anything like that. i am so mad right now and i feel the need to vent so to speak. its funny my girlfriend posted this on her facebook feed after i was the one to do this.. i opened up and confessed and laid it all out nothing left.. totally exposed.. like i never have been in my life.. turns out i was nothing but a joke to her and her best friend… and all the hypocritical things she has done since. I dont regret doing it. i want to heal. i’m ready and i know this will be tougher than anything i have experienced in my life.which is even more terrifying when i think what ive put myself through. but i am ready!
My word – that will speak to and touch so many of us. Beautiful.
Jeff Foster
hi
I believe that much stress and illness is caused by our efforts to repress aspects of ourselves that we find unacceptable .We try so hard to cover our “flaws”, physical, mental, and spiritual. We seem to be so ashamed of ourselves. Acceptance of our entire selves will lead to more peace and joy. Resistance is so energy draining!