Inspirational Short Stories, Fantasy Art, Relaxing Music

Often when we're being tough and strong,

we're scared. It takes a lot of courage to

allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to be soft.

-- Dudley Martineau

We've developed defenses for protection because we have felt the need for protection from the abuses of others, parents on occasion, bosses, spouses, even strangers. And in certain situations, our defenses served us well for a time.

However, they have taken their toll. Hiding behind them for long makes them habitual, and we move farther and farther away from our center, from the woman each of us needs and wants to be.

Exposing who we really are invites judgment, sometimes rejection, oftentimes discounting.

It's a terribly hard risk to take, and the rewards are seldom immediate. But with time, others respect us for our vulnerability and begin to imitate our example.

We are served well by our integrity, in due time.

Letting others see who we really are alleviates confusion, theirs and ours.

We no longer need to decide who we should be; we simply are who we are. Our choices are simplified.

There is only one appropriate choice to every situation -- the one that is honest and wholly reflective of who we are at that moment.

Telling the truth is a pretty hard thing.

-- Thomas Wolfe

Lying can be like sailing choppy waters. The more we lie, the higher the waves get, and the harder the sailing.

Inspirational Short Story, Female Fantasy Art, Relaxing Music

When we lie, we feel we've failed ourselves and others.

We have to work hard to cover up our lies, and the fear of someone finding out is always with us.

If we ask God for courage to tell the truth, we can be like the sailboat on a clear and calm day.

We can enjoy the small waves and the light warm breeze we've given ourselves.

Honesty is a good habit, and is easy.

With a little faith in our own worth, we can choose the calm waters' honesty and apply our creativity to new, growth-oriented activities instead of covering up old mistakes.

__________

03/05/2014

Some of the lines, bars & banners by vikimouse at The New Mousepad (dead link 2009)