Softening the shell

^{https://pixabay.com/photos/sleeve-mollusk-snail-shellfish-8516924/}

Every day that we exist, we have a barrier that differentiates us from what we are not. Sometimes we think that making this barrier thicker, like an animal's shell, is the result of our actions. These actions are determined by our fears, and by what we consider not to be right for us.

We look at what is different from us as something that can simply annihilate, annul or diminish us. This fear is natural. We can't believe that this possibility can't happen. In fact, one day we'll just be dust. We will once again have no barriers, or no existence at all. We will be integrated into what we once were. We are just atoms, organized into molecules, which are organized into small cells, which make up organs, which are part of our soma.

Do we believe that our body is eternal? We are here now. Tomorrow, or five minutes from now, where will we be? It's more of a comfort for us to always believe that we will continue to exist. And that's a good thing. Imagine what our life, our existence, would be like if only the finitude of our passage were present in our ideas. Imagine what it would be like to have no imagination or dreams... A life of only “one” or “zero”.

It would be too reductive, and very unrealistic, because reality is more than we perceive. One action can affect many things. No matter how small it may seem. And that influence can be in one direction or another.

What separates us from the outside world shouldn't be so hard, so firm, so insurmountable that it doesn't allow us to catch a glimpse of what might be going on around us. That it doesn't allow us to look at the other person in an uncomplicated way. That doesn't allow the other to get closer to ourselves.

A trust in a reality far beyond what is physically observable or mathematically calculable will give us a new dimension to our own existence. It will make us overcome what we consider to be insurmountable barriers in order to reach something that is not visible...

Letting our guard down is a sign of confidence. Not weakness. Make our shell softer. Letting some of the outside light penetrate us, but not letting the darkness flood in and reinforce our fears and frustrations.

We must not become naïve. We mustn't believe that nothing bad can happen to us, either by our own actions or by the actions of others, who are only looking out for their own well-being, or for our harm. That world exists. It will never cease to exist.

What we mustn't do is contribute to the dark world that exists being reinforced by our fears. Let's use our ability to bring discernment, to shed light on issues that may be obscure to others, or even to ourselves.

Believing that nothing bad will happen to us or our loved ones just because we put up a barrier that we think is insurmountable will not be enough. Those who don't share our values will always find a way to contaminate the water used to water our ideas.

Talking about things clearly and with discernment is the right thing to do.

Let's have the courage to break down barriers and soften our shells.

Cheers🍀

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