While reading this morning, these words struck a cord with me: “ I begin to think about my struggle not to give myself away.  When growing up, I had to check myself at the door like a coat in order to relate to others.  Often I had to pretend to be less than I was in order to be loved . . . for years I would shelve my light to take care of others.”  These most  powerful words resonated so clearly with me, and perhaps they do for you as well.

For years I tried to fit into a family unit that was what it was, not good or bad, it just existed differently than me.  Friends too were always different than me, and I often found myself doing everything I could to fit into the ‘group’, and yet somehow I always felt isolated and alone.  Having always been drawn to creative, open-minded people, I often found my fit best with them, but one cannot always indulge in such gifts.  One must learn to walk among all peoples and not loose their boundaries.

When learning to open oneself, it is important not to judge, self or others, in the process, but simply to observe.  By not fully allowing yourself to be present, you are not being porous and thus not honoring your true spirit self or the universe.  Be unafraid of who you really are, for you are a gift of the universe and light and love flow through you always if you let it be.  It doesn’t serve you well to take on the anxiety of others and their thoughts and opinions, and honestly how can you ever know their thoughts!  What serves is to be fluid like the water, embracing your true spirit and opening your heart with love and compassion.