Theme Thursday - Surface
The closed book of my life opens often to people I enjoy and trust. I will readily share a thought, feeling or important event...but no one has the whole picture; no one knows everything about me, everything that makes me tick. Only I know that.I was raised in the "what will people think" parenting mode and, therefore, I am a fairly reserved person and cautious about the image I present to the world. I care, too much perhaps, about how the cover of my life book, my surface, looks to others. And I know I am not alone.
I do sometimes admire those who are more "out there", and I have always joked that when I go to a party, I will be drawn to the loudmouth dancing on the coffee table, wearing a lampshade on his head; but here's the odd truth about that guy: he's probably even harder to get to really know than I am because he has a much more flamboyant act and more layers. That's his chosen surface, not so different from the kid in the classroom who is painfully shy and morphs into the class clown in order to cope. In fact, he probably WAS that kid!We all have the surface that we choose to present to the world and each other. Like me, many elect to not reveal every element of themselves. Maybe there are marriages or best friend relationships where the two people involved deeply know the all of each other. I would like to think such relationships exist,and I believe they do. But not for me, given my childhood lessons.
And that's OK because I know the real me, the ever changing pages that go between the front and back cover. No one has yet to read the whole book; I suspect no one ever will.
This has to be the most unique take on the theme. Very personal, very good. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteNo one has yet to read the whole book....so true! Love your thoughts here!
ReplyDeleteI'm learning to lay it all out there. Definitely not easy to do, but I think it makes things... simpler? Maybe... in the long run.
ReplyDeleteWho knows, really?
I used to be a very confident person on the outside but it's just a ruse, I'm actually very introverted and insecure so I fully understand what you're saying. There are only two people who read me right . . my kids!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that. A wonderful post!
ReplyDeletevery cool post. i lay my book open, but i think there are still stories in there i haven't shared yet. happy tt!
ReplyDeleteTotalyl enjoyed this post. So nicely put.
ReplyDeleteI ahve to say i really don;t care what others think of me and can be quite outspoken as a result but am mellowing with time. I would say my wife totally knew all of me but that doesn't necessarily mean they accept it all and vice versa.
Wow. This one really touched me. The first paragraph sounds like something that I've often said, in regard to the several close friendships I've formed. To extend your "book" references, some know several chapters; no one's read the whole book. The third paragraph sounds like it was written about me, although I was a late bloomer -- fine-tuning my "act," I suppose -- and wasn't too vocal during my school years. As to the fourth paragraph, I suppose there are relationships like that out there, too, but I've never been in one.
ReplyDeleteAnd the photos were a nice touch, too.
Very nicely done!
Hi Jan - I can really identify with much that you have said here. A very nice and heart-felt post. I always have to argue with the poem "No man is an island" because in reality we are each and every one of us islands entire of ourselves. I think some can come very close, but no one can really know us completely. I liked this post. It means a lot.
ReplyDelete