Guarded

Modern society appears to be made up of extremes. These extremes represent themselves in social spheres, politics, work environments, entertainment, grocery options, and (well, there are actually many many more, but to get to the point) in....

I don't know if I'm ready to share yet. I suppose you might have come right out and said it.

I'm concerned that you will take this the wrong way. Maybe you will feel like I am spilling my soul (which I just very well could be doing while hoping you don't see through that). Or, maybe you will take a comment or observation I make about someone else as somehow self-revealing. On the other hand, maybe I'm just concerned that you will take it as a directed criticism or chastisement (though it may be a warranted self-accusation driven by a guilty conscience, it's not in my nature to directly confront others on their personal failings and foibles of soul). Oh well. I've come this far and might as well finish the thought as not. Modern extremes are also represented in personal openness.

Extreme #1: Our society has changed airing dirty laundry from an unfortunate necessity of specific times when it simply must be done and can't be avoided to a sport where people intentionally dress in layers and seek out muddy rivers to ford just to generate fodder for the clothes line. I personally don't believe this is healthy.

Extreme #2: At the other extreme there are people that are afraid to say anything. They fear that anything they say will come out wrong or at least will not be taken as intended. Either way, it will be used against them in the court of private and public (usually via gossip) opinions. Whether or not this perception is accurate and true, it is sincerely believed. Whether it's an insecurity in their ability to express their thoughts or a lack of trust that they will be given the benefit of the doubt, these individuals hold it all in, festering all the while. While I admittedly fit best in this category and euphemistically dub it "just being guarded", I personally don't believe that this is healthy.

I guess the question for all of us is: How can we find the healthy middle ground; the space where sharing is selectively and profitably proffered, charitably received, and mutually productive?

My "guarded" nature is why so many observations about myself and others are left unexplored, unsaid, and unresolved. It's why most contemplated blog posts never get started; why so many get started and seldom get further than the brainstorming phase; and, good for a one-time-only deal, why this post reached fruition.