Finding the hidden within

We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. - e.e. cummings

I read this quote this morning and thought how fortunate I am to be able to actually have a list of names... and memories of people whose names I will never know. People who have who have touched me deeply and revealed qualities and helped push away the barriers and fears for me. It's a special kind of love I have for those friends and strangers. 

However, I don't think this is a one-time job. I think that throughout our lives we find ourselves in need of revelation and wonder about ourselves. And, along the way, there are people who touch that hidden part of us. For me, it sometimes is a total stranger. And, sometimes, it is an act between others that we witness that changes us. 

There is a story about elephants and I'm going to say it is a story because I don't know if it is true. When elephants are babies, they are tied to a small tree to keep them from roaming. As the elephant grows, it can still be tied to a small tree. Even as adults, they can be tied to small trees, even though the elephant would not have to exert much force to pull the tree right out of the ground. The "moral of the story" would be that the elephants learn that when they have that rope or chain around their ankle, they aren't strong enough to do what they could easily do off the leash, as it were... Do you have such preconceived ideas about things what you are and are not able to do? And most importantly, have you ever tried? Fear of failing, fear of succeeding... there's another post for another time...

Just as important as knowing who reveals your true self to you, is the idea that you are capable of revealing the beauty of another. It may seem hard to believe this, but every person has something valuable, worthy, and unique inside of them.  Yes, the stupid people at work, the annoying boy in the third row, even the woman in the line at the grocery store who's making a huge scene....Maybe they just need you to hold up the mirror and show them how remarkable they are. Chances are, there is someone you will cross paths with today who needs you to reveal to them what is deep inside.