“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.” – Rumi

I’ve been thinking lately a lot about not being ashamed or embarrassed or even afraid of embracing the things I love, what brings me joy. Whether it’s about simple things or the bigger choices in life, such a process is part of becoming who I am, accepting myself as I am, with all the odd quirks and flaws that are a natural part of being human.

Growing up so much of what I loved I kept secret. I was an only child, and I developed a very rich inner life that didn’t require stimulus or distraction or to be entertained. As an adult I got a bit more comfortable in my skin, and with sharing myself and what I enjoyed with others. But it’s only until recently that i really think I am finally relaxing into who I am, and into who I will become.

And I don’t feel like I have to keep my loves so secret anymore. Though there is sometimes a pleasure in having secrets for their own sake. But that really isn’t much in me these days.

I may never shout everything I am passionate about out to the world or talk too much about such things, but I won’t be afraid of them anymore. I will accept them in myself when I meet them, my loves, my passions, what brings me joy, greet them with an open heart and follow them, silent and sure, wherever they lead me.