Saturday
Mar122011
Opening Up
March 12, 2011 * * * * * Posted by: guest blogger 
I have always been somewhat ‘closed’ as it comes down to showing my emotions and sharing my feelings and thoughts. I am not the kind of person that talks about my feelings with just anyone. But I do notice that while I get older, I tend to open up a bit more, at least to certain people. I think I will never be an open book, or as open as these flowers on the photo, I do like the privacy of my own feelings too much to blur it out in the open. On the other hands, sometimes it is nice to share feelings, and make them part of someone else’s thoughts too. Not just because they might be able to help you, but also because a shared burden is better than a burden that you need to carry all alone. And I have been carrying a lot on my own in my almost 40 years now.
What I learned through the years, is that opening up is not just good for me, but for the people around me as well. They get more insight in how my mind works and how my actions can be explained by knowing where they come from. That was a wisdom I had not come across before, and it is a wisdom that is very wise to take into consideration. I need to be more open from time to time.
I must admit that it is not easy, being closed for such a long time, just cruising life in my own world. Opening the gates, let the floods come out – or in – still feels a bit exposed, maybe even over exposed from time to time. But what is wrong with exposing yourself when you can learn from it? My answer – at this point in my life – would be “nothing”. Open the gates and see where it takes me. Maybe I will explore a whole new side of me. At least it will take off the load that might bother me sometimes.
It is nice to see that the years still make me wiser and that there is still room to improve, and make me a better person to live with. Life is all about these learning curves. Exploring who you are, what you are and where you are in life.
Do any of you recognize this? I wonder if we all get these insights when we get older. I hope so, because it can only make us better persons and it means you are stil ‘open’ for new sights in your life’s journey
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Special guest post today by a returning visitor - Chantal en Roland Huijbregts – whose work can be found over at Chantaliaans. Thank you for joining us here today, Chantal, and for sharing with us your thoughtful story.
Reader Comments (14)
First of all, thank you for joining us here again, Chantal. I can completely relate in that I have always kept things close to the vest, only sharing with those with whom I'm closest. It's a trust issue for me, because I've been burned a few times. It's great that you are opening up more and letting people in. I especially like your thoughts about sharing a burden - we all need someone with whom we can do that.
The whole process of opening-up and sharing our thoughts and feelings comes with age (I think) and self-awarenss and trust. Great that you are slowly learning to do so...and thanks for joining us again!!
Thanks a lot Chantal, for opening up here on V&V and giving us an insight in how you feel when you feel you can't open up! To a certain extend there are only 2, or maybe 3 people in the world that know who I really am. For all the rest I am an open book. They think ;)
as long as we are alive, we learn and change and discover and explore, and your words are an "open" reminder of the amazing opportunities life gives us to do or be more. your flowers are a lovely visual for all that you say.
thank you for this thoughtful start to my sunday.
Personalities come in all sizes and shapes, Chantal, as we all know. Some of us are by nature or experience more closed off, while others are more open. It doesn't surprise you that I'm one of the latter. In fact, there are some I know who wish I weren't so open...but not because I've been burned. I just tend to be an "out there" kind of person, that's all. I guess in the end we all need to find balance and moderation. The aging process helps us in that regard, if we're paying attention. Maybe we also can help each other as we become friends and learn how to be honest with each other.
Thanks for your vulnerability in sharing this post with us. The image is a beautiful expression of what you have written, and if you are becoming like it, you have nothing to worry about!
Hey Chantal, this is one of the things I like about getting older ... you learn more of who you are and begin to trust that you have a voice that wants to be heard and experiences to share. I have noticed this happening with you here on V&V, just the change in the comments you leave, lately you have more to say, more thoughts to share, and what a good thing! It sure helps when you feel you can trust the ones you are opening up with.
I've alwys enjoyed your photograghy and especially love this image.
I used to be very open. Then I was betrayed. I am now closed up like a clam.
Chantal, I believe that opening up gives you more opportunity to share the burden with someone - like Susan already said, I saw how you have opened up more in your comments and what I see of you is a beautiful soul. The downside is that opening up also makes you more vulnerable. I am a fairly open person and got burned several times. I have become more careful over the years (here's that learning curve again), but I'm still open, though not to everybody. I think it's just my nature or however you might call it. - This is a beautiful post. Thank you so much for it.
Oooh, you all give me blushings... what a nice comments. And I can see everyone can relate to what I tried to explain and share. All on our own level, one more open than others. I loved that. And as for me being more open at V&V, yes I am. You have opened up to me, so I want to open up to you, in verbs and vision. Hope to be invited for a new contribution soon. I will keep up the writing and combining it with fine images.
Thanks so much for everything!!
Have a great week all... I look forward to my daily dose of V&V
chantal, i am amazed at how friendly and open you are when you visit our blog. this is a beautiful post.
Wonderful photo, Chantal! I'm a 'closed' person myself, but as you said, I'm changing a little bit everyday with age. Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts :)
lovely post chantal; i think, at least for me, writing more has helped me to open up - although generally i am very shy, and don't like to reveal so much. this generation is a funny one though isn't it, with all the facebook spilling of info etc etc.
Yes, Chantal, I think many of us feel this way, both as we age and as we get "wiser" we learn that it is important to connect with other people, and I think it becomes easier for us to express what we are feeling once we get past some of the insecurities of youth.
and writing is a great outlet, i think i am much better at expressing what i feel in writing than i am in person.
Love your beautiful photo!
It's so nice to read the words that lead you to a better place. Welcome to Vision and Verb!