There is beauty in nakedness. There is strength in uncovering yourself and exposing who you really are. There is power in moving out from behind the brick walls we erected to keep the hurt out and the shame in. There is courage in exposing the person that lives inside, not the version we put forward to save face. There is freedom in being one’s authentic self.
I have come to discover that being vulnerable, or should I say transparent does wonders. The relief you feel when you finally realize that you are not alone, coupled with the authentic bonds you develop with those you share your hopes, dreams, interests, pains, and fears with is equivalent to freedom. I have also realized that when we expose ourselves to others, it liberates them to open up. Giving them the freedom to reveal who they are as well. Honesty and trust from being vulnerable create a safe space to explore issues that would otherwise be hidden far out of sight but suffocating us at the same time.
From experience, I can tell you that there are times when nakedness is that necessary ingredient we need for healing. Speaking our truths causes us to recognize things that were buried within us. And if those things are not brought to the surface and dealt with, the healing that we so desperately need will be out of our reach. This made me realize that if I am not transparent enough to reveal myself to myself or others, then there are parts of me that will be scarred, hurt, and in pain wondering why I can not be ‘fixed’.
Don’t get me wrong, nakedness is scary. We struggle because of the potential damage to our image that being transparent to the wrong person might cause. And it wouldn’t be right to uncover yourself to everyone you meet, right? What I am saying is, when you find that save space, use it, because having the freedom to be your authentic self, does wonders for our mental health, relationships, and our total well being.
Let’s be the game changer by deciding that I no longer want to be in this box of shame, pretense, and inadequacy, but I want to show who I am, I want to breathe, and I want to freely express the things that are within me. This is a groundbreaking move for many of us in a world that is so quick to tear others apart. The fear of being judged or ridiculed prevents us. But we must choose to be our authentic self regardless. The important thing to understand my friend is that it takes God, it takes God-given strength and courage to be the agent of change.
There is a freedom that comes with openness. You feel so liberated, so powerful, so light when you don’t have the baggage of pretense weighing you down. So tell me this, When did YOU discover that there is power in being your authentic self?
See you along the God directed path.
God Directed Steps 