"...it only takes a minute to let down your guard and let in a blessing."

I was recently asked, "If you could make one change in the world, what would it be and why?"  My answer stems from my belief that we’ve developed a fear of conflict, fear of being judged, and fear of being different. We talk over, around, at, and behind one another rather than with each other. We associate or affiliate with, and become members of something instead of simply connecting to one another.  We log on and off, tune in and out, like or dislike and seldom take the time to even comment on what we see, hear, or feel. 

I remember hearing a terrible comment once that if you are an idiot but remain silent you’ll keep your critics guessing, however if you open your mouth you’re sure to confirm it. A critic can only influence us if we give them the power to do so. Our fear of rejection has become more powerful than our desire to express our individuality and has stifled our courage to act. If we continue to confuse association, affiliation, proximity, and membership with being connected to life, we will lose the skill and passion required to be involved in it.  

Where we used to step up, now we step out. We remain unheard, unseen, unaware, and unaccounted for because it requires an investment we’re no longer willing to make, that is of ourselves. Too bad, it only takes a minute to let down your guard and let in a blessing. So let’s connect with one another. Talk with each other. Drop our fear of being judged and embrace our desire to be heard, to share, to contribute and to be involved. The next time you want to send someone a text, invite them for coffee and when they arrive give them a big hug, it will remind you both how important you are to one another.