The inconvenience of “unpleasant” truths

I came across an article with a rather benign title “ideal questions to ask at a gathering” in summary, it prefaced this idea that, if we at a gathering with a “less boring” people around a dinner table, and we pick a question from a card deck; questions like:

“In what ways are you a bit unreasonable?”

“What do you hope to be forgiven for?”

“How can you be tricky in a relationship?”

And the million dollar question – 

“What do you wish you could ask for in love?”

These are inconvenient questions that marry up with the unpleasant truths. How would we react in the midst of strangers? Would we have the courage to answer with candour?

What if … the thing that we thought we could lose is actually a gain. Our humanity and dignity? What if being vulnerable will bring you closer to that sort of relationship we crave? 

It lies in our ability to be vulnerable. The one that exposes all of our flaws for all to see. Would we do it? And what if it could bring us, the genuine relations that we all secretly (or deeply) crave. Would the reward be enough to step out of the realm of acceptability?

Why does it matter to so many of us to appear in a certain way to others? What is the driver behind such action/behaviour?

The answer always lies within. 

But to those who are capable of such vulnerability,they find their inner strength. A level of self assuredness that is unwavering.

But – Honesty starts at the heart. 

There is a price for every choosing. We love to love the things that we view as valiant. Because this is our true selves speaking.

We love vulnerable people, and yet – we cannot let go of the idea of putting it on for the crowd. It’s the dance that we never expected to waltz to, but here we are.  

Many of us have not been told how to be vulnerable, and the price just seems too high. And it is. But the reward is equally as great. That is – the double edged sword. To risk rejection; but to find those who will accept us, takes risk.

To fake it, is to forego our authentic self. To risk it, is to find freedom. Everything is about choice. 

And that is the news we would rather not receive.