On the radio the other day, there was a guest promoting some book she wrote about children and parents. I listened absently off and on, but I did catch one particular story that she told. The author had said her young son was asking her one day, about death and dying. He asked if they would die together—at the same time. The woman explained that no, she would probably be the one to die first because she was older. She said her son’s response was, “Well, when you DO die, can you please leave tracks for me so I could follow them and find you, and THEN we can be together again?” Sweet, huh?
Well, that little story had got me thinking. I thought how simple and innocent a child’s mind is. About how easily a child will express his feelings. Feelings of love, of hate, feelings of hurt and humility. And feelings of sorrow. Unabashedly, without hesitation or shame. I thought, if only we, as adults, could continue that innocent and honest mind set throughout the rest of our lives. How better the world would be.
Why can’t we, as adults, speak honestly of our feelings? Why is there always game playing and trying to guess what someone else is thinking or how they really feel about us. Why not just say it. Or ask. If you love someone, show it! Exclaim it! Shout it from the rooftops!
But we are afraid. We are protective of our feelings; of the possible repercussions of exposing our true feelings and emotions. What if that other person doesn’t feel the same way? What if I embarrass myself by bellowing my undying love for this person? So what?! What is a little embarrassment in life? Is it something we can’t overcome? Must we constantly pass up opportunities because of a little embarrassment? I say be embarrassed. There is no harm done in speaking the truth to someone. Not a hurtful truth, of course. Not something that would cause another embarrassment or pain, but something that could cause another to smile. And maybe even cause that other person’s heart to go pitter-pat at the thought of “you” being in love with “them!” Even if the feelings aren’t reciprocated, what harm did it really do you? Cause you a little embarrassment. That’s it.
