Almost An Open Book

A friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you anyway.

Children innately protect themselves from being different. Although I was a fairly confident kid, the years following my mother’s death (about ages 9-12), I would make an excuse to leave a group if the conversation turned to family. I didn’t want to say, “I don’t have a mother.” Being different felt scary. In those days, I didn’t even know anyone with divorced parents much less anyone who had a parent that was missing or dead.

Now I’m mostly an open book…but not completely. I haven’t totally bought into the truth of the quote above. I’ve learned that sharing all the skeletons in the closet isn’t necessary to maintain and expand a relationship. Some things are better left where they are.  

Affirmation: I’m, almost, an open book.

Coaching questions: Are you an open book? What’s too scary or unnecessary to reveal…even to your best friend?