(Hot chocolate art. Mine is the one on the left.)

When I was 16, I worked in a flower shop. My boss was a sweet lady in her mid to late 20’s. She had a passion for the art, and less of a mind for business. On the wall beside her computer, she hung up quotes she liked, art she appreciated, and pictures of things she loved. On this wall were two quotes in particular that stirred something in me. I will share one with you:

“We all need somebody to talk to. It would be good if we talked… not just pitter-patter, but real talk. We shouldn’t be so afraid, because most people really like this contact; that you show you are vulnerable makes them free to be vulnerable.” – Liv Ullmann

I know nothing about Liv Ullmann as a person, but these words stuck with me.

Being real, open, and honest doesn’t have to be painful. I know it can be terrifying, as if we are handing another person the keys to our destruction. However, being vulnerable doesn’t necessarily mean opening yourself up to more hurt. In fact, I’ve found that it does the opposite. No one can use information against me if it’s not information I’m hiding.

By choosing to communicate openly, as a human being with both scars and victories, we can ignite that same openness in other people.

Who doesn’t want that freedom?