What If I Told You
This week we explore the tension between bringing our wholeness to the world and the social pressure to maintain polished appearances. How might we practise opening our hearts to the whole of ourselves—including the uncomfortable, needy, and difficult parts?
Moving from performing acceptability to becoming spaces where others can feel genuinely welcomed means cultivating the capacity to ask "what else is here?" with genuine curiosity. And this becomes the foundation for encountering our own and others' grief, rage, and vulnerability without turning away. It’s our sense that this is an ethical imperative—the gift we offer those who come after us and those we meet along the way.
Hosted as always by Lizzie Winn and Justin Wise of Thirdspace
Episode Overview
00:00 Introduction and Context of the Conversation
01:56 The Power of Authenticity in Relationships
07:04 Exploring the Poem: 'What If I Told You'
08:52 Embracing Messiness as Generosity
12:56 The Importance of Self-Reflection
20:42 Navigating Relationships with Authenticity
28:55 The Ethical Imperative of Being Real
31:48 Conclusion and Future Directions
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Here’s our source for this week:
What if I told you
What if I told you
That showing up
In this messy world
Just as you are
Is the ultimate act of love.
That befriending your doubts,
Opening your heart to
The whole of you,
Is the greatest act of generosity.
That loving yourself
In the places that are the hardest to love
Is the most profound gift
You can give
To those who come after you,
To those who meet you,
To those who rest in your eyes for a moment,
As you move through the world
As an invitation
And a welcome for
Everyone's messy beauty.
What if I told you,
We need you
Just
As
You
Are.
Hollie Holden
Photo by Talia Cohen on Unsplash