When I went to TVS boarding school, we had groups called "sunshine groups". These groups had one mission: To share joy and encouragement. Once one of these groups sang in the local prison - but the choice of song wasn't the best. The second verse of the song starts with: "Oh, still there are walls between us, we can only reach each other through the bars..."
When I am to describe some of the best moments in life, it will be times when I connect with people, bond, and I feel safe. The personal walls around people may prevent that from happening; and I should know, because I have some invisible walls that very few get past.
I have reflected on what tears down the walls, and here is a list of some factors I think are important for me: Feeling loved and accepted, feeling protected, feeling genuine interest, not afraid that the other will get angry at me or disappointed in me.
How do I know for sure that the other person can and will be all of that when my walls are up? I have to give up protecting myself, and have the courage to be vulnerable. I am not sure I can be that brave - but I will continue to practise trust.
(photo credit: Frank Spangler)
My husband read the blog and told me that "Action" had been singing in the prison too, with the song "Will you stay where you are?". One of the prisoners shouted out: NO!
ReplyDeleteBC is teaching me how to post a comment here, so this is a test :-)
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