I'm the kind of person who has no qualms about being thrown into a room full of strangers and feeling comfortable. It's really never scared me because I have come to learn that you can always find something in common with any person you meet and when you find that common ground, conversation takes off. Yep, strangers don't usually scare me, it's the people who know me and who I trust that scare me. I say they scare me because it's those people who can do the most damage to my heart!
I have the kind of personality that instantly connects to people and I open my heart up almost instantaneously. I think to a wide degree that's good. I want to be an approachable person. I want others to feel like they are being let in. It's the people pleaser inside of me. I very much want everyone to get along and feel happy. But opening your heart up so freely can be risky and scary and I honestly don't know how to protect it!? I heard the saying, "protect your heart" from a friend of mine and it has forever been etched in my mind. But how do you protect your heart while still allowing it to be open? And how do you get thick skin without becoming calloused? I honestly don't know!
Thanks for sharing all your thoughts, lately, Nicole. :) This is a tricky issue! I think there's a balance, but really, as much as you try to protect your heart it's going to get hurt from time to time. I think what you have to do is try to not dwell on the situation/hurt/betrayal/gossip/whatever, and move on. And focus on the people who do lift you up.
ReplyDeletep.s. Every time I hear this phrase I CANNOT help but think of The Bachelorette, Jillian, and the guy who constantly told her "I'm going to guard and protect your heart" and even got the tattoo to prove it!
Lol! That's the 1 season I didn't watch :) I do really like Emily this season though. Are you watching?
DeleteI can't simply say the words "protect your heart" . . . even when I want to my mouth & brain spit out "guard and protect your heart." And yes, I'm watching Emily. :)
Delete