Being Naked

Today we are heading to this medieval town four hours south of Prague called Cesky Krumlov. It is a town out of a dream or movie, from what I hear. Really small and very magical; you can walk across the town in 10 minutes, no joke. We have been in Prague for about 4 nights so far and it has been a riot. I am meeting tons of really cool people. There is this Scottish guy who is very Scottish. He is like the guru of the Hostel. He is 35 and always seems to have wise words to say. We were at a pub the other night and I asked him what the meaning of life was, kind of half jokingly, and he ended up going off for about a half hour on his thoughts. It boiled down to being truthful with yourself and with others. I think he is on to something, but it is a something that is almost impossible with humans at time. I find being truthful with myself, with others, and even with God, to be very hard. For some reason we like to conceal the truth. Maybe it is out of fear of what people might think of us when they discover what is really going on inside. Maybe it is a pride thing- we are too proud to let people know that we don't have our lives together. Maybe it is just an ignorance thing- we were not taught growing up how to open up, so as a result we do not know how to be real. What ever the case, I know that being truthful is a hard thing, and it's something that does not come easily to me. I have spent that past four years only being truthful to a few select people. This isn't bad I feel. We are not suppose to open up to everyone or anyone; there needs to be boundaries and we need to be selective. However, I know for a fact that I should have opened up to more people then I did. When asked how I was doing, I would almost automatically say I'm doing fine, when in reality, something was bothering me. Part of me was afraid to be truthful because I had feelings that I did not know how to explain or put to words; many of you probably know this feeling well. Part of me was just scared what people might think of me if I was honest about my doubts and struggles. Plus, I didn't want to be the consistent downer. However, I am learning that being open and honest can be a freeing thing, and it is vital for getting through life and struggles. The verse about carrying each other burdens is coming to my mind; Galatians I think. I hope that on this trip I can learn to be more honest with people and get in the routine of practicing this when I come back. Being naked with each other is what I like to call it. So if you see me, ask me how I am really doing, and try to see if I am bs'ing or not. These are just some food for thoughts. Keep it real and in the words of a Scottish man spoken from a dingy dark pub in Praha, be truthful with yourself and with others.