A Closed Book, Releasing Decay

 

"The beauty of being human is that we are incredibly, intimately

near each other, we know about each other, but yet we do not

know or never can know what it is like inside another person."

John O'Donohue

Imagine ourselves each being a book in a library and we are in close contact, but moved around a lot. Over a period of time, we would feel a sense of community, but we would prefer to be next to certain  books.  As a book, we might never be exposed to the wisdom written between the book covers.

As humans, we are much the same.  We can grow up with siblings or spend years with a best friend, yet still not know how they feel on the inside.  Our inner selves can be filled with drama or horror that will never find a language to appropriately express our inner landscapes.  Even in our minds, we subconsciously temper memories or hide them altogether, until we are aligned to face them.

Even in intimate relationships, it is difficult to reveal certain parts of ourselves.  We are afraid of judgment, concerned that love will be conflicted or personally be overcome by shame.  We cannot always imagine others embracing the darkness within us, especially if we continue to struggle with it ourselves. It is wise to seek a therapist or a mentor; art class or workshop; physical activity or journal to express what is decaying within.  It is important for our physical health, emotions, and spirituality to participate in an activity to release these hidden parts.