Spit it Out

What if the stuff you hold back from saying is the key that defines you? The comment you are afraid to make, the opinion that might offend someone or sound mean or harsh or even unkind? Every time you bite your tongue and hold back that direct statement of your real feeling you are watering down your essence, and abandoning your self. It is not always the pointed and unpopular things we hold back most, often we hold back from saying the sweet, gentle and kind things our hearts want to say just as much. Why would we do that? Maybe we fear being vulnerable, or sounding sentimental in a culture that prides itself on being strong and self-sufficient. We say the more acceptable thing, chose to tone our natural ferocity or tenderness down as if it is something to be feared or dreaded. We think others cannot possibly bear the unvarnished truth said without rancor or guile. People might surprise us with the strength, grace and humor to bear our real opinions and desires. There is no need to bludgeon most folks, and certainly no reason to be rude or unkind. But let's give the world our best stuff, our real self and see who can handle it. Don't you like the person you know who tells it like it is? Don't you admire those who are direct and genuine about what they want and need so you do not have to guess how they feel? Often I have struggled so long and hard to say the right thing perfectly,  that the moment has passed me by and I end up saying nothing at all to something I feel passionately about.