It seems to me that too often we shelter ourselves from one another. We are “tight-lipped,” “hold our cards close to our chest,” or afraid to “let the cat out of the bag.” What are we afraid of?

In some ways, I think we’re afraid of being vulnerable, afraid to show others who we are, and afraid to open the proverbial Pandora’s Box. We want others to think only the best of us and, we share with them only what we want them to see—our light side.

When we are knee to knee, we stay away from topics such as religion, politics, weight, or finances. We have a hard time speaking our thoughts and feelings with strangers on the streets and coworkers, much less our closest friends or family members. We don’t want to “rock the boat,” or “make a mountain out of a molehill.” We keep that part of our lives to ourselves.

How many times have we heard of stories of a spouse dying and the other person hasn’t the slightest idea of how to run the household, where the bills are located, how to pay the bills, how much money is in their bank accounts, or how to find their other investments? Or, how often do you hear stories of one spouse getting sick, and the family doesn’t know where the will is, who’s the Power of attorney, and who’s the executor of the estate? … Wouldn’t you think that this would be common information within the immediate family?

It’s not!

To begin to rectify the situation, we have to be willing to open Pandora’s Box and peek inside for, often, what we find there is a blessing, not a curse. I find that:

1. We need to see our Vision— a clear outline of who we are and where we are going.
2. We need to stop being a Victim and blaming others for our circumstances. At the end of the day, we are the captain of our ship—no one else.
3. We need to be willing to be Vulnerable, to share openly and honestly with others our intimate thoughts and feelings. Most likely, they have the same fears and joys as we have.
4. We need to live a life of Vitality. By taking action, and practicing gratitude and forgiveness daily, we can let go of fear and embrace joy.
5. We need to find our Voice and be willing to speak up and stand up for ourselves. Be our own champion and creator of our destiny. No one else out there is going to do this for us! Our words—whether in writing, speaking, or singing are our own, and we are valuable, worthwhile, and genuine.

The next time topics start to turn towards the uncomfortable, how about embracing them—opening Pandora’s Box. Let’s breathe through the fear and use these moments as an opportunity to grow. Life is dynamic and so are you. Your growth is dependent upon your forward movement, and I challenge you to commit to embracing the freedom that comes from leaving the past behind. With gratitude, bless the person you were. With faith, reach unencumbered for the person you are becoming. In this way, you will change the way you see, and change the way you live.