Flickering Flames: 11/23
Notes from the journal November 2023:
Authenticity and vulnerability are magnetic, drawing people in like a campfire on a cold night. The flickering flames of truth and openness invite us closer, they beckon us to gather round, to share in the warmth, to bask in the light. In the artist’s emotion, we see a reflection of our own, a mirror that reveals the depths of our shared humanity. The artist gives us permission, permission to feel, to dream, to be different, to embrace the unique tapestry of our existence.
Vulnerability is the catalyst for true connection, yes, the spark that ignites the flame of intimacy. We can only meet others as deeply as we have met ourselves, as deeply as we dare to dive into the ocean of our own experiences, our own fears, our own joys. In the depths of vulnerability, we find the threads that bind us, the commonalities that unite us, the essence of what it means to be alive.
When we hide ourselves for fear of being disliked, we cut ourselves off from the possibility of being loved, we build walls that isolate us, that shield us from the very connections we long for. We wear masks, we construct facades, we play roles that do not reflect our true selves. But in doing so, we deny not only ourselves but also others the chance to see us, to know us, to love us.
Authenticity is a gift, a precious gift, and when we share it, we offer a beacon of hope to those who feel lost, who feel alone, who feel different. In the artist’s vulnerability, we find courage, a courage to reveal our own truth, a courage to step into the light of our own emotions. The artist stands bare, yes, bare before the world, and in that exposure, we find solace, we find strength, we find kinship.
The campfire crackles, it crackles with the stories we tell, the dreams we share, the laughter that echoes in the night. It draws us in, it pulls us closer together, and in that closeness, we discover the beauty of connection. We find that we are not alone, that our fears and hopes are intertwined, woven into the fabric of our collective experience.
So let us embrace authenticity, let us embrace vulnerability, let us gather around the campfire of our shared humanity. Let us shed the masks, let us abandon the fears, let us allow ourselves to be seen, to be known, to be loved. For it is in our openness that we find the true magic of connection, the true beauty of being.
In the artist’s emotion, we find the courage to feel, to dream, to be. We are reminded that vulnerability is not a weakness; it is a strength, a bridge to understanding, a pathway to love. So let us draw near, let us share our stories, let us illuminate the darkness with the warmth of our authenticity. In that light, we find ourselves, we find each other, we find the profound beauty of being alive together.
