Withholding

"Something we were withholding made us weak
Until we found out it was ourselves."

-- Robert Frost

The meaning of this quotation is as obvious as JLo's hiney: Withholding weakens. And yet, much of the time, we live in a perpetual state of withholding. We hold back our opinions, afraid that someone will ridicule them. We withhold our talents, afraid that we might fail. We withhold our beauty, our skills, our wisdom and our laughter from a world that desperately needs all those things, and, yes, needs them from us!

Most of all we withhold ourselves. We "play small," as Marianne Williamson calls it. We "hide our light under a bushel," as the Bible says. We don't give of ourselves because we're afraid that in so doing we will deplete our reserves, be played for the fool, or regret it later. We don't give of ourselves because we are afraid that it will weaken us, when the exact opposite is true.

Withholding weakens us. Fear weakens us. Giving strengthens each of us, all of us.

I know you give. You give everyday. All of us do to one degree or another. To live is to give. What I'm asking you to do today is to give more consciously. Don't be so picky about where or how you give. Give in response to need, not where, when and how your ego feels most comfortable giving.

Ask yourself, "What part of myself I am withholding?" It may be your knowledge, your passion, your care, your unique sense of humor. It is almost always your love. Love withheld is love denied. You can't stockpile love for a rainy day. Love withheld atrophies, sours, and loses its potency. In sharing we not only strengthen others, we strengthen ourselves and strengthen our capacity to love.

So, just for today use your love muscle. (Hey, no snickers for the peanut gallery!). Let your love light shine. And watch your strength grow!