Cubicles

We all live in cubicles.
As humans, it's comforting to build up walls and maintain a safety zone- far enough away that others can't quite reach you unless they have the secret password.
The problem is, the password is denied far too often.
Why be vulnerable and let someone in? We know ourselves, that's good enough. Not everyone needs to know everything about us.. or most things about us for that matter.
Well, I've made a discovery. You see, my cubicle flooded today with the real frustration I held against someone I cared about. I wanted to share it, but to do so, a wall would have to come down, and I might leak a little *eek* honesty. And that can be embarassing.
Yet when I realized that I was drowning in this pool of concern for my friend, I realized that it may just be better to reach out and fish for a lifeline. I took the chance of crumbling our friendship by bearing my honest opinion. I held my breath, praying for just a few more minutes to try to float before our friendship sank.
Then it happened.
A rope was thrown in and I was pulled out of my proverbial box. I was forced to face a friendship like a friend, not a coward. They welcomed my opinion with open arms and mind. They thanked me for sharing with them.
This is one of many epiphanies I've had to face with reluctance and fear, only to be pleasantly surprised: true friendships can withstand honesty, if it is born of true concern for the good of others.
I think I kind of like it out here, away from the safety zone. It's a bit scary, I feel vulnerable, but I think it's time I step out of myself and begin to live and love like I was always meant to: in the presence of those who matter most.