Boys and shells

A little boy of about 3 years old approached me today as I was sitting on the beach. He was holding out something in his hand to me and talking animatedly. Realising he was eager to tell or show me something I held out my hand thinking he wanted to give to me whatever it was he was showing me. It was a small shell, very beautiful and with intricate detail. He chatted away to me with so much eagerness, desperate for me to admire and praise him for the find. I reached out to touch it in my appreciation, but he would not let go of it. He proceeded to walk happily away and show it to someone else, clutching it to his chest in between each admirer.

This child, barely the height of my knee, reflected something very precious. He had something beautiful to be admired, and he wanted to share this with everyone. But he did not give it away; he did not expose himself to theft, nor put himself in a vulnerable position. Yet he shared the beauty. We are often terrified of being hurt, we are terrified of being intimidated, and so we do not reach out to others. We build up walls around us to protect us, and as a result, we do not reach those we could.

But we can, and we don’t have to get hurt. We can all share what we have with others without being exploited, damaged or used. We don’t have to be hurt. If we keep hold of who we are: our belief systems, our self-respect, our self-love, just as the little boy kept hold of his shell, we can offer ourselves: our beauty and our knowledge, to help others and reach out to them. Without being hurt.

Make sure you know who you are. Be firm in what you believe in, be firm in your respect of yourself; keep all this close. And then reach out. Extend your boundaries, compliment a stranger, approach someone you find intimidating, pick up a child who has fallen over, and welcome those who are crying with open arms.

The world needs to see your beauty. And it doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself. It doesn’t mean you have to get hurt.  

A tiny child came up to me, a strange young woman, because he wanted to share the beauty of his shell. Be like that small child. Be fearless and reach out to others to share what you can offer. It doesn’t mean you will lose yourself.  

with love and warmth, anna-katharina