Love Snatcher or Shell Dweller?

Sometimes I expect things to come to me. It is safer, right? I don't have to throw my heart out there for possible rejection. I like safety, not gonna lie. I've been compared to a shell dweller; not sure if that was a turtle or a hermit crab. Either way, I temporarily come out of my shell when I feel safe. When I don't, I pull myself back in and hunker down.

The older I get, the more I realize that's selfish. Expecting everyone else to reach out while I sit around and risk nothing. I wait on them to move forward, and I stand still with high expectations to judge them with. That is so self-involved, really.

To be fair, though, for me, walking past the fear of rejection is like taking the first step on the moon.

I've started to challenge myself over the years and the more I have put myself on the line the happier I've been. It takes the pressure off of people I already care about, and I learn that they struggle too. They need love and reach outs. I've become a love snatcher; I reach out to people in my life and snatch their love.

There really is a lot of love out there to be had. Whether it's friends, family, pets, neighbors, new friends, whomever...it's there. Yesterday, I spent the day with a family member I know was rejecting me. But, I reached out anyway. They have been struggling with cancer. That person revealed some things to me that shocked me. They've been walking through this utterly alone.

It was an absolute pleasure to spend time with them. I've always loved them, but what a privilege to spend an afternoon with them. They opened up about part of their journey and I withered. All this time I assumed things were about me and our strained relationship. No. This person has been trying to survive and I could have helped. I can't change the past, but I can tweek the present and plan out a new trajectory for the future.

Love goes both ways, so while you're out there snatching love, take a second and consider that person on the other end. Be sure to give back the gifts you've been given and then some! It's a very fulfilling way to live :-)