Thursday, September 23, 2021
We all have values, those things we hold in the highest regard, and that we prioritize. For example, I have recently learned the value of honesty. But with core values come consequences, a price to pay to uphold what’s important to you, especially in challenging situations. As it pertains to honesty, it truly is the best policy, even if honesty hurts. If being honest potentially creates pain, it is far less severe than learning the truth through the collapse of a lie. When you learn the truth by discovering you have been deceived, the pain runs much, much deeper. But if you learn of the truth, from an honest person, it somehow is less severe. Why? Because it comes by means of vulnerability, an openness which is much more digestible.
Creativity is another value, but it too comes with a consequence – the consequence of putting yourself “out there,” opening yourself up to all sorts of critics and possible mishaps. The value of creativity has a commonality with honesty. It too “costs” you your vulnerability. But to be vulnerable requires you to put yourself on the line, to open yourself up to every back-handed comment, and sideline critic. But vulnerability, the space of pure openness, is the birthplace of everything that’s good about being a human. It’s the birthplace of love, honesty, creativity, compassion, empathy, and self-knowledge. The openness of vulnerability is the only, inner space where life is worth living and worth the consequences of putting yourself on the “stage.” Everything else is fear.
All of your values have consequences, but you’ll learn that they cannot be feared, but must be embraced through openness. Living with the risk of honesty, love, creativity and so on, brings a depth of meaning to life that makes it easier to endure. Don’t be afraid of what you value. Open yourself to what you uphold as valuable, and when it requires you to be vulnerable, step into the stage’s spotlight, and go for it!