Walls We Build

Imagine a wall that is so impenetrable, much like a bullet proof vest. Not like the wall at a bank that separates you from the tellers but an unseen wall that protects your mind and soul.

Many of you know exactly what I am talking about, the wall you build to protect your heart and soul from emotional destruction, not just love relationships but friendships also. It's hard to say how or when the wall begins, but over time it gets taller, thicker and more and more impenetrable. Things like crying are looked upon as weak or a vulnerability that is not afforded. To the outside world you are one tough cookie but in reality you are sensitive and hurt easily but never allow the world to see that.

The wall helps to keep you just the right distance away from your emotions. It keeps you from allowing others to reach out to you due to your reluctance to open your heart. Many times we talk about wanting more intimacy in our lives but just when we get what we want we somehow sabotage ourselves. We are afraid to fall too fast because the more we trust someone the easier it is for him or her to break our heart. There are times when we get tired of being strong and holding up this wall.

This intimacy with another allows us to be vulnerable, implying that we may get hurt. Although it is safe within the wall it gets very lonely with nobody they allow in. Eventually these walls become too high for you to climb over and you become a prisoner of your own doing.

Trust is not an easy thing. Friends come and go, boyfriend/girlfriends come and go; it hurts each time. Do we really want to do it all over again, break down the wall just to have to rebuild it?

The strongest base for a relationship is a good friendship with honesty, communication and genuineness. If you find someone who proves these to you it helps to break down barriers. Who do you trust though? Can the wall be broken? Can you trust enough to break down that wall?

Ok, so one day you break down the wall, can it stay down? Will the smallest thing make you buy all the mortar and bricks and build a new wall bigger and better, one that makes the Great Wall of China look like a backyard fence? The saying goes "The hardest thing is loving someone and having the courage to let them love you back" What do you think? Do you have a wall? If you had one, how did you break it down?