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In my life, many times, I have been tempted to and have done things that
were in the best interest of someone other than myself, hoping to protect the others from pain or fear. While this is a noble
effort and honorable in character, I have come to learn that I cannot protect people from these things. I can temporarily
block them but only until the situation boils over and my loved one has no choice but to face the situation and the resulting
emotions. Often these emotions are stronger when the situation that is being dealt with has been shielded from the person
I care about and, when it does surface, it is extreme.
Pain and fear are very powerful. Even the strongest and bravest
of people are swayed by them: doing things to spare the feelings of others or as the case may be, not doing things that we
would like to do. Sometimes these things are opportunities that would create or add to our own personal happiness, yet we
do not pursue them because of how it will affect those around us.
If you are not happy in your life and it is because you are afraid to be yourself, for fear of causing someone else
pain, you need to assess the pain you are causing yourself. You need to realize and accept your true self. You need to take
steps toward achieving wholeness for yourself. Each of us is responsible for our own being. That means that even the people
we “protect” are responsible for their own well being. Sometimes in protecting others, we actually do them a disservice.
Retaining them from the personal growth that occurs by facing challenges and change.
Children grow and change every day. My belief is that adults grow and change just as much each day, not on a physical
level, but on a spiritual and emotional level. We are capable of great things… ALL OF US. By being true to our inner
selves, we can strive to achieve our greatest potential. We can make the extra strides that are necessary to get us on the
road of happiness. Those around us can and often willingly adapt to our changes, accepting us for who we are and loving us
anyway!
If you love someone, let them grow…
Be honest with yourself about who you are and share your true self with the people around you.
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