Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

July 21, 2014

Everybody’s got a dark side
Do you love me?
Can you love mine?
Nobody’s a picture perfect
But we’re worth it
You know that we’re worth it
Will you love me?
Even with my dark side? –Kelly Clarkson

Will we be accepted by others if we allow ourselves, even our dark side, to be known?  This is a question that many people avoid by hiding the parts of themselves that they are less comfortable with.  The problem with hiding our dark side is that when our loved ones stumble across it (and, eventually, they always do) they may feel betrayed that we hid it.  Hiding our dark side also creates a barrier between us and those around us.  We cannot truly accept the love and appreciation others feel and express for us because a voice in the back of our heads says, “They would not feel or say that if they knew who I really am.”  It is an act of courage to allow ourselves to be wholly known and the gifts we receive are truly limitless.

Am I allowing myself to be fully known?  Am I open to fully knowing those close to me?  What gifts can my relationships offer if I open myself to fully know others and allow myself to be fully known?