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I remember the first time I told a budding love interest about the energy work I do. We were having dinner at my place and the conversation opened up around our respective passions. He was a visual artist and designer with a client base he’d been building for years. Really? I asked. I’ve got one of those, too.
Really? he asked. What do you do? Before I knew it, I dove into an elaborate overview the body’s energy system and the amazing work it does for us. Barely two minutes in, after the bit about non-local reality, the no-time-no-space causal model, and karmic resolution, I leaned over and pulled down a rainbow-colored teaching diagram from my bookshelf. I giddily pointed out each of the major chakras and how they interfaced with the physical body. I rattled off a list of colors, emotions, themes and ‘jobs’ associated every last one.
Had I been a little less animated, self-indulgent, and more attuned to my date’s waning interest—and apparent fear—I would have shut my mouth after the gentle intro about alternative healing. But honey couldn’t help herself that time.
As I wound up my mini energy lesson, I looked up from my diagram to see the guy’s eyes cloud over and dart from me toward the door. Within minutes, he’d grabbed his coat, told me I was sweet and that he really liked my place. Two words: man down.
Over the next few days, I shared the story with two male friends, both of whom knew about the work I did and also shared my passion for it. Their faces blanched as I skidded toward the inevitable ending of the tale. You told him WHAT, Kriste? they asked between bursts of laughter and knowing looks between themselves. Wow, you really effed that one up, didn’t you?
I told my friends I was only being honest and sharing a part of myself that I wanted the guy to see. Yeah, but you can’t let it all out like that. So soon! Now he probably thinks you’re a freak or something.
I think my friends were right; I didn’t hear from that guy again. And even when I replayed that night in my mind, I didn’t regret sharing something that mattered so deeply to me. I still don’t. Granted, I won’t roll out every chapter and verse again like I did with my date, but you know what? It happens sometimes: we say too much.
Point is, I don’t think it’s ever wrong to risk vulnerability when the intention is to make a real connection with people. Kind of like I’m doing now. I opened myself up for judgment and I scared someone off. It won’t be the last time. But, truth be told, had that man been the right one for me, he would have risked his own fear to tell me that he was uncomfortable rather than disappearing altogether.
I say all that to say this: take a chance today and share a little bit more of who you really are with the people around you. Step out of your own box and let somebody see you in the full light of day. Be willing to say too much. Be awkward. Push your fear aside and tell your truth from a loving heart, why don’t you? Doing so will open you up, air you out, and give others the permission to at least peek out from their boxes, too. Now that’s some serious healing energy right there. Trust me, I know.
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